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THE    RED    ARROW 


BOOKS  BY 
ELMER  RUSSELL  GREGOR 

THE  RED  ARROW.     Illustrated.     Post  8vo 

CAMPING  IN  THE  WINTER  WOODS 
Illustrated.     Post  8vo 

CAMPING  ON  WESTERN  TRAILS 
Illustrated.    Post  8vo 


HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  NEW  YORK 


[See  page  274 

FLUSHED    WITH    TRIUMPH,   THEY    TURNED    THEIR    FACES    TO    THE    SKY 
AND    GAVE    THANKS    TO    THE    GREAT    MYSTERY 


THE 

RED  ARROW 


AN  INDIAN  TALE 


BY 

ELMER  RUSSELL  GREGOR 

AUTHOR  OF 
"CAMPING  ON  WESTERN  TRAILS"  ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED 


HARPER  fir  BROTHERS  PUBLISHERS 
NEW  YORK  &  LONDON 


LOAN  STACK 


THE  RED  ARROW 

Copyright,  1915,  by  Harper  &  Brothers 

Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

Published  September,  1915 


PZT 


CONTENTS 


CHAP.  PAGE 

I.  WHITE  OTTER  BEGINS  A  PERILOUS  JOURNEY      .  i 

II.  THE  BUFFALO  HERD n 

III.  A  DAY  OF  ADVENTURES 27 

IV.  A  CROW  WAR  PARTY       44 

V.  A  Loss  RETRIEVED 60 

VI.  CAPTURED 77 

VII.  IN  THE  CROW  CAMP 89 

VIII.  A  BOLD  RESCUE 104 

IX.  THE  UNKNOWN  HORSEMEN 119 

X.  AN  ALLIANCE  WITH  THE  CHEYENNES     ....  137 

XI.  ON  THE  TRAIL  OF  THE  PAWNEES 150 

XII.  THE  BATTLE 166 

XIII.  SCOUTING 179 

XIV.  WAITING  AND  WATCHING 192 

XV.  THE  CAPTIVE 200 

XVI.  THE  ESCAPE 223 

XVII.  THE  COUNTRY  OF  THE  EVIL  SPIRITS     ....  232 

XVIII.  WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  THE  GOAL 249 

XIX.  THE  RED  ARROW 262 

XX.  THE  REWARD 276 


990 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

FLUSHED  WITH  TRIUMPH,  THEY  TURNED  THEIR 
FACES  TO  THE  SKY  AND  GAVE  THANKS  TO  THE 
GREAT  MYSTERY Frontispiece 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  CHASE  HAD  SEIZED  HIM,  AND 
HE  RODE  RECKLESSLY  INTO  THE  GREAT  COM- 
PANY OF  CROWDING  BUFFALOES Facing  p.  14 

THERE  WAS  NO  TIME  FOR  FLIGHT,  AND  AS  THE 
ENRAGED  BRUTE  ROSE  UPON  ITS  HIND  LEGS 
WHITE  OTTER  DROVE  Two  ARROWS  INTO  ITS 
BREAST "  36 

AND  Now  AS  THE  TWILIGHT  SHADOWS  GATHERED 
THEY  URGED  THEIR  PONIES  TO  THE  BREAKING- 
POINT  "  228 


THE    RED    ARROW 


THE   RED  ARROW 


WHITE    OTTER    BEGINS    A    PERILOUS    JOURNEY 

THE  sun  was  just  peeping  above  the 
eastern  rim  of  the  plain  as  White  Otter 
mounted  his  pony  and  rode  from  the  great 
Sioux  camp.  He  was  departing  upon  his 
first  war  journey,  and  his  heart  filled  with 
pride  as  the.  people  gathered  at  the  edge  of 
the  village,  beating  the  war-drums  and  sing- 
ing their  war-songs.  The  lad  carried  himself 
with  all  the  confidence  and  dignity  of  a 
seasoned  warrior,  and  the  Sioux  looked  upon 
him  with  approval.  He  was  a  handsome 
youth  of  sixteen  winters,  tall  and  sinewy,  with 
keen,  steady  eyes  and  an  alert,  intelligent 
face.  An  orphan,  he  had  been  brought  up  by 
his  grandparents,  Wolf  Robe,  the  venerable 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Sioux  war-chief,  and  old  Singing  Wind,  his 
squaw.  His  grandfather  had  given  him  his 
favorite  war-pony,  his  buffalo-hide  war-shield, 
and  his  weapons;  and  Singing  Wind  had  pre- 
sented him  with  several  pairs  of  moccasins 
and  a  great,  soft  buffalo  robe  which  she  had 
tanned  with  her  own  hands. 

White  Otter  had  arrayed  himself  with  great 
care,  as  befitted  one  departing  upon  the  war- 
trail.  He  had  carefully  oiled  and  divided  his 
long  black  hair  into  two  braids,  which  he  had 
bound  with  rabbit-skin.  At  the  top  of  his 
head  he  had  braided  a  scalp-lock,  to  which 
he  had  fastened  a  hawk  feather.  His  dress 
consisted  of  a  breech-cloth  and  soft  doeskin 
leggings  which  reached  to  his  thighs.  About 
his  waist  he  wore  a  twisted  rawhide  belt,  to 
which  were  fastened  his  knife- sheath  and  a 
small  buckskin  bag  containing  dried  meat. 
His  bow  and  arrows  were  inclosed  in  a  hand- 
some otter-skin  case  which  he  carried  on  his 
back,  and  at  his  side  hung  a  weasel-skin  pouch 
containing  his  fire-sticks.  His  pony,  a  clean- 
limbed little  piebald,  was  without  saddle  or 
bridle;  a  rawhide  lariat  twisted  about  its 
lower  jaw  was  the  sole  means  of  control.  Its 
mane  and  tail  had  been  skilfully  braided  and 


A    PERILOUS    JOURNEY 

decorated  with  hawk  feathers  and  strips  of 
fur. 

The  lad  rode  away  in  silence,  for  he  knew 
that  it  was  not  the  part  of  a  warrior  to  give 
way  to  his  emotions.  The  snow  had  re- 
treated to  the  mountain-tops,  the  prairie  was 
dotted  with  wild  flowers,  and  the  air  was 
filled  with  the  music  of  birds.  Spring  was 
ripening  into  early  summer  and  the  great 
Western  country  was  at  its  best.  Having 
passed  from  sight  and  sound  of  the  camp, 
White  Otter  stopped  his  pony  and  looked 
about  him  with  reverent  appreciation.  The 
world  seemed  filled  with  sunshine  and  song, 
and  he  found  it  good  to  be  alive.  His  heart 
filled  with  gratitude,  and  he  raised  his  eyes 
to  the  sky  and  gave  thanks  to  the  Great 
Mystery  for  the  blessings  which  he  had  be- 
stowed upon  his  people. 

Then  as  he  rode  slowly  across  the  vast  plain 
the  young  Sioux  began  to  realize  the  perilous 
nature  of  the  mission  upon  which  he  had 
embarked.  He  had  been  sent  at  his  own 
request  to  recover  the  Red  Arrow  from  the 
Pawnees.  Many  years  before,  that  famous 
medicine  -  trophy  had  been  stolen  from  the 
Sioux  medicine-lodge  by  a  daring  young 

3 


THE   RED   ARROW 

Pawnee.  The  Sioux  had  made  countless  ef- 
forts to  recover  it,  and  many  warriors  had 
forfeited  their  lives  in  the  attempt.  White 
Otter  had  heard  the  tales  of  their  heroism 
recited  at  the  Sioux  council-fire,  and  they  had 
filled  him  with  a  longing  to  achieve  the  ex- 
ploit. When  he  reached  the  age  at  which  it 
was  necessary  to  begin  his  career  as  a  warrior, 
therefore,  he  went  to  his  grandfather  and  an- 
nounced his  intention  of  going  upon  the 
perilous  quest.  Well  pleased  with  the  lad's 
courage,  Wolf  Robe  called  his  warriors  in 
council  and  told  them  White  Otter's  ambi- 
tion. It  met  with  instant  approval,  and  they 
decided  that  he  should  go  upon  the  venture- 
some journey. 

The  day  was  far  spent  when  White  Otter 
discovered  a  small  band  of  antelope  a  short 
distance  to  the  west  of  him.  He  stopped  his 
pony  and  dismounted  to  stalk  them.  Hob- 
bling the  piebald  with  a  piece  of  rawhide,  he 
crawled  toward  several  small  boulders  which 
were  about  half-way  to  the  antelope.  When 
he  finally  reached  the  rocks,  however,  he  saw 
that  he  was  still  out  of  bow-shot  of  his  quarry. 
Fearing  that  he  would  be  discovered  if  he 
attempted  to  approach  nearer,  he  determined 

4 


A    PERILOUS    JOURNEY 

to  try  an  ancient  Sioux  stratagem  which  he 
had  learned  from  his  grandfather. 

Draping  the  buffalo  robe  upon  his  bow, 
White  Otter  raised  it  above  his  head.  In  a 
few  moments  the  antelope  saw  it  and  became 
curious.  Having  attracted  their  attention, 
the  lad  began  to  wave  the  lure.  After  they 
had  watched  it  some  time  the  inquisitive 
creatures  began  to  advance.  Continuing  the 
manoeuver,  the  crafty  hunter  gradually  en- 
ticed them  within  range.  Then  he  threw  the 
robe  from  his  bow  and  drove  an  arrow  through 
the  heart  of  the  foremost  buck. 

After  supplying  himself  with  sufficient  meat 
for  his  journey,  White  Otter  continued  across 
the  plain.  At  sunset  he  turned  toward  a 
small  grove  of  cottonwoods.  He  found  an 
ideal  camp  site,  with  water  and  grass,  and 
he  decided  to  camp  there  for  the  night. 

As  darkness  settled  upon  the  plain  the 
young  Sioux  sat  beside  his  little  fire  and 
meditated  upon  his  task.  He  realized  that 
to  be  successful  he  must  expose  himself  to 
great  peril.  The  Pawnees  were  implacable 
enemies,  and  he  knew  that  he  could  expect  no 
mercy  if  he  fell  into  their  hands.  He  also 
knew  that  the  undertaking  demanded  a  high 

5 


THE    RED   ARROW 

order  of  skill  and  strategy,  and  for  a  moment 
he  doubted  his  ability.  Then  he  recalled  the 
deed  of  the  young  Pawnee.  He  asked  him- 
self if  White  Otter,  the  son  of  Standing  Buffalo 
and  the  grandson  of  Wolf  Robe,  the  great 
Sioux  war  -  chief,  was  less  daring  than  that 
reckless  lad.  The  mere  suggestion  drove  the 
hot  fighting-blood  to  his  brain  and  filled  his 
heart  with  courage.  He  determined  to  du- 
plicate the  Pawnee's  exploit  or  forfeit  his  life 
in  the  attempt. 

Having  come  to  this  bold  decision,  White 
Otter  rose  and  walked  to  the  edge  of  the 
grove.  The  night  hush  had  fallen  upon  the 
plain  and  the  world  was  stilled  in  slumber. 
The  lad  raised  his  eyes  to  the  heavens.  The 
sky  was  studded  with  a  vast  multitude  of 
stars.  He  looked  upon  them  with  reverence, 
for  he  had  been  taught  that  they  were  the 
camp-fires  of  departed  warriors  on  the  trail 
to  the  Spirit-land.  Then  he  saw  the  dim, 
mystic  trail  itself  stretching  across  the  sky, 
and  he  believed  that  it  was  marked  with  the 
footprints  of  his  parents.  White  Otter  was 
overwhelmed  by  a  sense  of  his  weakness,  and 
he  opened  his  heart  to  the  Great  Mystery. 
He  prayed  for  strength  to  complete  his  task, 

6 


A    PERILOUS    JOURNEY 

for  courage  to  face  the  peril,  and  for  wisdom 
to  cope  with  his  enemies. 

Then  a  coyote  raised  its  dismal  cry.  The 
spell  was  broken.  The  prairie  -  wolf  had 
found  the  dead  antelope  and  was  summoning 
its  fellows  to  the  feast.  Answering  wails  rose 
from  all  parts  of  the  plain,  and  the  peace  of 
the  night  was  destroyed.  The  Sioux  returned 
to  his  fire. 

Soon  after  daylight  White  Otter  resumed 
his  journey.  At  midday  he  was  halted  by  a 
river  which  the  spring  rains  and  the  snow- 
water from  the  mountains  had  transformed 
into  a  raging  yellow  torrent.  It  was  swift, 
and  deep,  and  wide,  and  he  looked  upon  it 
with  gloomy  misgivings.  As  he  watched  the 
water  racing  past  he  had  grave  doubts  of  ever 
reaching  the  other  shore.  It  seemed  fool- 
hardy to  make  the  attempt.  As  he  hesitated, 
however,  he  thought  he  heard  a  challenge  in 
the  sullen  hissing  of  the  water.  It  seemed  as 
if  the  river  were  laughing  at  his  caution  and 
accusing  him  of  cowardice.  A  great  wrath 
entered  his  heart.  He  asked  himself  if  it  was 
the  part  of  a  Sioux  warrior  to  turn  back  at  the 
first  obstacle.  Then,  laughing  scornfully,  he 
lashed  his  trembling  pony  into  the  flood. 

7 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Once  in  the  water,  the  gallant  little  piebald 
began  a  valiant  battle  against  the  current. 
White  Otter  was  swept  from  its  back,  but  he 
saved  himself  by  grasping  its  mane.  Farther 
down  the  river  he  saw  a  seething  whirlpool, 
and  he  knew  that,  once  in  its  grip,  there  would 
be  no  escape.  He  tried  to  guide  the  struggling 
pony  from  the  danger,  but  his  efforts  were 
futile.  He  realized  that  he  must  depend  upon 
the  piebald  to  save  him.  It  was  making  a 
superb  fight  for  its  life,  but  the  odds  against 
it  were  terrific  and  White  Otter  had  little 
hope.  Each  moment  the  game  little  beast 
was  being  swept  nearer  its  doom.  The  Sioux 
turned  its  head  up  the  river,  and  urged  it  to 
still  greater  efforts.  He  knew  the  only  chance 
was  to  reach  the  center  of  the  stream  before 
they  were  swept  abreast  of  the  whirlpool. 
Then  he  heard  the  ominous  hiss  of  swirling 
water,  and  he  glanced  fearfully  over  his 
shoulder.  His  heart  failed  him,  for  the  pony 
was  almost  upon  the  whirlpool.  A  moment 
later  he  felt  the  current  twisting  them  about 
and  he  cried  out  in  despair.  The  piebald 
was  swept  swiftly  around  the  edge  of  the 
great  sucking  pool,  and  the  despairing  lad 
shuddered  as  he  saw  the  water  boiling  down 

8 


A    PERILOUS    JOURNEY 

into  a  yawning  funnel-shaped  cavern.  Twice 
they  were  whirled  dizzily  around  the  border 
of  the  death-trap,  and  then  the  pony  fought 
its  way  from  the  clutches  of  the  pool. 

Having  regained  the  main  channel,  they 
resumed  their  fight  to  reach  the  opposite 
shore.  The  piebald  had  covered  two-thirds 
of  the  distance  when  it  began  to  weaken. 
White  Otter  again  saw  death  staring  him  in 
the  face,  for  he  realized  that  in  such  a  crisis 
his  own  strength  was  of  no  avail.  Believing 
himself  lost,  the  lad  determined  to  die  as  his 
father  had  died,  fighting  to  the  end.  He  ex- 
hausted himself  urging  the  frantic  pony  to 
redouble  its  efforts.  Several  times  it  carried 
him  beneath  the  water  as  he  endeavored  to 
guide  it  to  the  shore.  Then  his  own  strength 
collapsed,  and  he  clung  helplessly  to  the 
floundering  beast  he  had  tried  to  save.  As 
though  it  understood  that  its  own  life  and  the 
life  of  its  master  might  be  saved  by  one  final, 
supreme  effort,  the  choking  pony  kept  its 
nose  above  the  waves  and  struggled  wildly 
to  reach  the  shore.  The  heroic  battle  finally 
ended  in  victory,  and  the  piebald  staggered 
weakly  from  the  water  and  dragged  the  young 
Sioux  to  safety. 

9 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Both  White  Otter  and  the  splendid  little 
beast  which  had  saved  him  were  thoroughly 
exhausted,  however,  and  it  was  some  time 
before  they  were  strong  enough  to  continue  the 
journey.  When  the  lad  finally  mounted  and 
rode  away  he  found  himself  upon  a  great  un- 
dulating prairie.  It  was  carpeted  with  a 
splendid  crop  of  grass  and  watered  by  a 
tributary  of  the  river,  and  he  saw  deep  trails 
and  other  signs  which  led  him  to  believe  that 
he  had  entered  the  summer  range  of  the  buf- 
falo. The  thought  filled  him  with  a  longing 
for  the  chase,  and  he  rode  slowly  along  the 
stream,  keeping  a  sharp  watch  for  the  great 
beasts  he  hoped  to  find. 

The  sun  had  already  set  when  White  Otter 
finally  discovered  the  buffaloes  directly  ahead 
of  him.  He  approached  as  near  as  he  thought 
wise,  and  then  he  made  his  camp  in  the  bot- 
tom of  a  shallow  ravine,  for  he  had  decided  to 
postpone  his  hunt  until  daylight. 


II 

THE   BUFFALO   HERD 

A?  daybreak  White  Otter  looked  upon  a 
sight  which  would  have  quickened  the 
pulse  of  the  most  hardened  hunter.  The 
plain  was  covered  with  buffaloes.  Wherever 
he  looked  he  saw  them  grazing  in  small  scat- 
tered companies.  Some  were  less  than  two 
arrow-flights  away.  The  lad  was  fascinated. 
He  rejoiced  in  the  opportunity  to  verify  the 
tales  told  by  the  Sioux  hunters.  For  the 
moment  the  stirring  scene  drove  all  thought 
of  the  chase  from  his  mind,  and  he  concealed 
himself  behind  a  convenient  boulder  and  re- 
mained an  interested  spectator. 

He  saw  great  shaggy -headed  bulls,  hand- 
some sleek-coated  cows,  and  awkward,  long- 
legged  calves.  The  outside  of  the  vast  herd 
was  composed  of  aged  males,  surly,  keen-eyed 
sentinels,  ever  on  the  alert  for  danger.  They 

ii 


THE    RED   ARROW 

were  irritable  and  quarrelsome,  and  were  con- 
stantly fighting  among  themselves.  Beyond 
them,  always  at  a  safe  distance,  hovered 
murderous  bands  of  hungry  coyotes,  waiting 
for  a  chance  at  the  helpless  calves. 

Then  the  Sioux  saw  a  flash  of  white  near 
the  edge  of  the  herd,  and  his  eyes  lighted 
with  excitement.  He  peered  cautiously  over 
the  rock,  and  his  heart  beat  wildly  as  he  dis- 
covered a  cream-colored  yearling  feeding  with 
its  fellows.  White  Otter  could  scarcely  be- 
lieve his  eyes.  He  looked  again  and  again, 
fearing  that  his  imagination  had  tricked  him. 
However,  when  the  animal  did  not  vanish  or 
change  color  he  knew  it  was  real.  It  was  a 
trophy  for  which  any  Sioux  hunter  would 
gladly  have  risked  his  life.  There  were  only 
two  such  robes  in  the  tribe,  and  for  each  the 
chief  had  given  fifty  ponies.  The  lad  knew 
that  the  pelt  of  this  rare  albino  would  bring 
him  fame  and  fortune,  and  he  longed  to 
possess  it. 

Trembling  with  eagerness,  White  Otter  slid 
into  the  ravine  and  led  his  pony  along  the 
bed  of  the  stream.  The  high  banks  concealed 
him,  and  he  hoped  to  steal  upon  the  buffaloes 
without  being  seen.  When  he  was  opposite 

12 


THE    BUFFALO    HERD 

the  albino  and  its  companions  he  rode  up  the 
steep  side  of  the  gully. 

White  Otter's  appearance  instantly  threw 
the  great  herd  into  confusion.  The  cows 
and  calves  crowded  together*  in  panic,  the 
bulls  trotted  nervously  to  and  fro,  and  the 
pugnacious  old  sentinels  bellowed  hoarsely 
and  pawed  the  plain.  The  lad  hesitated 
only  long  enough  to  locate  the  albino  and 
then  he  urged  his  pony  forward  at  top 
speed. 

For  a  moment  the  buffaloes  watched  him 
in  stupid  astonishment,  and  then  as  he  came 
nearer  they  lowered  their  heads  and  thun- 
dered away  in  a  wild  stampede.  Even  the 
blustering  old  bulls  weakened  at  the  last 
minute  and  galloped  awkwardly  along  in  the 
rear  of  the  rout.  The  cream-colored  yearling 
was  well  to  the  front,  and  the  Sioux  realized 
that  he  must  ride  furiously.  Urged  on  by 
the  anxious  lad  upon  its  back,  the  fleet- 
footed  little  piebald  rapidly  closed  upon  the 
herd,  and  White  Otter  soon  found  himself 
among  the  laggards.  A  wild-eyed  bull  turned 
to  offer  him  battle,  but  he  drove  an  arrow 
through  its  heart  and  raced  on  in  pursuit 
of  the  leaders.  The  spirit  of  the  chase  had 


THE    RED   ARROW 

seized  him,  his  blood  was  on  fire,  and,  unmind- 
ful of  the  danger,  he  rode  recklessly  into  the 
great  company  of  crowding  buffaloes. 

As  the  courageous  pony  shouldered  its  way 
toward  the  front  White  Otter  was  almost 
suffocated  by  the  stifling  dust-cloud  that 
enveloped  the  herd,  and  he  was  compelled  to 
face  a  constant  volley  of  pebbles  and  earth 
thrown  back  from  the  hoofs  of  the  animals 
ahead  of  him.  The  lad  realized  that  he  was 
risking  his  life,  for  the  piebald  was  running  in 
close  quarters,  and  he  knew  that  a  false  step 
meant  death.  Two  great  bulls  were  crushing 
his  legs  against  the  ribs  of  his  horse,  and  he 
attacked  them  savagely,  with  his  knife.  They 
swerved  aside,  and  his  pony  crowded  past 
them.  The  next  instant  a  calf  went  down 
directly  under  the  feet  of  the  piebald,  but 
the  latter  saved  itself  by  jumping,  and  White 
Otter  yelled  excitedly. 

Each  moment  the  buffaloes  crowded  closer 
together,  and  the  Sioux  found  himself  im- 
prisoned in  the  jam.  He  had  lost  sight  of  the 
albino,  and  as  he  looked  forward  at  the  solid 
mass  of  great  beasts  running  shoulder  to 
shoulder  he  realized  that  he  had  little  chance 
pf  coming  up  with  it.  He  saw  that  it  would 

14 


THE    BUFFALO   HERD 

be  folly  to  attempt  to  force  the  piebald 
through  those  close-packed  ranks,  and  he 
reluctantly  abandoned  all  hope  of  securing 
the  coveted  trophy. 

Then  White  Otter  suddenly  realized  that 
he  was  trapped.  For  a  moment  the  thought 
filled  him  with  panic.  He  looked  wildly 
about  him  for  a  way  of  escape.  He  knew 
that  if  he  attempted  to  stop  his  pony  he 
would  be  instantly  run  down  and  trampled 
into  the  plain  by  the  buffaloes  behind  him. 
To  attempt  to  turn  aside  would  be  equally 
fatal.  He  believed  his  only  chance  was  to 
gradually  slacken  the  speed  of  the  piebald, 
in  the  hope  that  the  buffaloes  might  run  by 
him.  In  a  few  moments  he  tried  the  experi- 
ment, and  the  buffaloes  began  to  crowd  past 
on  each  side.  Several  times  White  Otter 
was  compelled  to  fight  them  off  with  his 
knife  to  save  his  legs  from  being  crushed. 
As  the  piebald  dropped  steadily  back  toward 
the  rear  of  the  herd  the  lad  took  hope,  for 
he  believed  that  if  the  pony  kept  its  feet  he 
would  eventually  escape. 

When  he  was  almost  free  he  saw  a  death- 
trap looming  up  directly  in  the  path  of  the 
herd.  A  short  distance  ahead  of  him  a 

15 


THE    RED   ARROW 

deep  ravine  stretched  across  the  plain,  and 
White  Otto  knew  that  the  buffaloes  would 
plunge  into  it.  Blind  with  senseless  panic, 
the  animals  in  front  would  be  unlikely  to 
discover  it  in  time  to  swerve  and  save  the 
herd.  The  great  company  behind  them  were 
rushing  forward  with  the  irresistible  force  of 
an  avalanche.  Unable  to  see  the  pitfall 
which  awaited  them,  they  would  sweep  their 
leaders  into  the  ravine  and  plunge  over  the 
bank  on  top  of  them. 

White  Otter  realized  that  unless  he  escaped 
from  the  jam  he  was  lost.  A  company  of 
stubborn  old  bulls  had  closed  in  behind  him, 
and  they  were  forcing  the  piebald  ahead  of 
them.  The  Sioux  knew  that  he  must  act 
quickly  to  save  himself,  for  the  leading  ani- 
mals were  already  tumbling  into  the  ravine. 
He  turned  and  shot  his  arrows  at  the  massive 
heads  against  his  pony's  rump,  but  the  thick 
skulls  were  impenetrable,  and  he  groaned  in 
despair.  Then,  finding  it  impossible  to  reach 
the  vital  spot  behind  the  shoulder,  he  aimed 
at  the  dusty  backs,  and  his  arrows  went  home. 
One  by  one  the  great  bulls  went  to  their  knees 
or  turned  aside,  badly  wounded.  Quick  to 
seize  the  opportunity,  the  frenzied  lad  pulled 

16 


THE    BUFFALO   HERD 

the  piebald  into  the  gap  and  emerged  safely 
from  the  stampede. 

White  Otter  watched  the  herd  pile  up  in 
the  ravine,  and  his  heart  filled  with  pity  for 
the  splendid  creatures  which  were  hurling 
themselves  to  destruction.  Many  were  killed 
beneath  the  hoofs  of  their  comrades,  and  many 
more  struggled  from  the  gully  desperately 
wounded.  Those  that  were  uninjured  climbed 
to  the  plain  and  galloped  away. 

Then  the  lad  was  amazed  to  see  the  albino 
coming  directly  toward  him.  He  dismounted 
and  crouched  behind  his  pony,  hoping  that  the 
buffalo  might  come  within  range.  It  saw 
him,  however,  and  swerved  off.  The  Sioux 
mounted  and  galloped  after  it.  It  was  ap- 
parently uninjured,  and  the  race  was  a  hard 
one.  The  albino  turned  back  toward  the 
ravine,  and  White  Otter  rode  wildly  to  inter- 
cept it.  As  he  finally  headed  it  off  the  buf- 
falo turned  at  bay,  and  the  lad  approached 
with  caution.  Then  the  albino  charged,  and 
White  Otter  turned  his  pony  and  drove  home 
an  arrow  at  close  range.  Maddened  by  the 
wound,  the  buffalo  flashed  about  and  rushed 
savagely  at  the  piebald,  but  the  lad's  second 
arrow  sent  the  frantic  beast  to  its  knees.  As 

2  17 


THE    RED   ARROW 

it  struggled  to  its  feet  the  daring  young  Sioux 
charged  by  within  bow-length  and  drove  a 
third  arrow  through  its  heart.  Then  he 
jumped  from  his  pony  and  ran  forward  to 
count  a  coup  by  striking  the  dead  buffalo 
with  his  bow.  It  was  a  signal  of  victory 
which  entitled  him  to  recite  the  adventure  at 
the  council-fire. 

After  carefully  removing  the  priceless  pelt 
White  Otter  sang  a  Sioux  war-song  and 
danced  around  the  buffalo.  Then  he  saw  a 
large  golden  eagle  circling  high  above  him, 
and  he  believed  it  was  a  good  omen.  Cutting 
a  large  piece  of  meat  from  the  carcass,  he  held 
it  above  his  head  as  an  offering  to  the  great 
war-bird  of  his  people. 

Then,  having  performed  the  customary 
ceremonies,  White  Otter  mounted  his  pony 
and  rode  toward  the  foot-hills,  which  were 
less  than  a  half  -day 's  journey  away.  As  the 
sun  was  barely  at  the  zenith,  he  hoped  to 
reach  them  before  dark.  Behind  them  tow- 
ered the  mountains,  great  snow-capped  peaks 
close  against  the  sky.  The  lad  looked  upon 
them  with  superstitious  awe,  for  he  had  been 
told  that  they  sheltered  the  mysterious  Thun- 
der Bird,  and  the  great  bear  which  could  kill 

18 


S3 
W  M 

is 


THE    BUFFALO   HERD 

a  bull  buffalo  with  one  blow  of  its  paw. 
It  was  the  first  time  White  Otter  had  been 
within  sight  of  them,  for  the  Sioux  were  a 
prairie  people,  and  he  determined  to  explore 
the  rugged  peaks  and  learn  for  himself 
whether  the  tales  he  had  heard  were  true. 

He  approached  the  foot-hills  with  great 
caution,  realizing  that  enemies  might  lie 
hidden  in  the  timber.  Before  venturing  with- 
in arrow-range  he  stopped  to  reconnoiter. 
For  a  long  time  he  searched  the  low  wooded 
slopes  for  a  trace  of  smoke  or  anything  which 
might  proclaim  the  presence  of  concealed  foes. 
When  he  saw  nothing  to  arouse  his  suspicions 
he  rode  slowly  forward.  As  he  drew  nearer, 
however,  he  dropped  to  the  off  side  of  his 
pony,  and  advanced  at  an  angle,  with  his  body 
sheltered  behind  the  piebald.  It  was  a  trick 
which  several  times  had  saved  his  grandfather, 
and  Wolf  Robe  had  cautioned  him  to  remem- 
ber it. 

White  Otter  reached  the  timber  in  safety, 
and  found  a  well-worn  game  trail  leading 
up  from  the  border  of  the  plain.  He  followed 
it  to  a  grassy  park,  and  found  a  spring  and 
many  fresh  deer  tracks.  Hoping  to  see  the 
shy  creatures  themselves  before  dark,  White 

19 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Otter  concealed  his  pony  and  seated  himself 
to  watch  at  the  edge  of  the  timber. 

It  was  not  long  before  a  twig  snapped  over 
at  the  opposite  side  of  the  park.  The  lad 
fitted  an  arrow  to  his  bow  and  peered  anx- 
iously into  the  woods.  However,  as  he  saw 
nothing  moving,  he  attributed  the  noise  to 
some  small  animal  passing  through  the  under- 
growth. Then  he  saw  the  top  of  a  small  tree 
tremble,  and  he  instantly  became  alert.  A 
moment  later  a  splendid  black-tail  buck 
appeared  at  the  edge  of  the  park.  It  raised 
its  nose  into  the  air,  and  thrust  forward  its 
great  ears,  searching  the  wind  for  danger. 
But  the  wind  was  false  to  its  trust,  for  at  that 
instant  it  veered  to  the  opposite  quarter  and 
the  buck  was  deceived.  Believing  that  all 
was  well,  the  handsome  creature  walked  boldly 
into  the  open.  Each  step  brought  it  nearer 
its  doom,  for  the  calm-eyed  young  Sioux  had 
already  aimed  his  arrow  at  its  heart.  The 
black-tail  stopped  to  crop  a  mouthful  of  grass, 
and  then  it  went  forward  to  drink  at  the 
spring.  Twice  it  lowered  its  head,  and  each 
time  it  suddenly  straightened  and  looked 
nervously  about  the  little  park.  Its  enemy 
was  skilfully  concealed,  however,  and  the 

20 


THE    BUFFALO   HERD 

wind  gave  no  warning.  The  buck  was  ap- 
parently convinced  that  its  suspicions  were 
unwarranted,  and  again  it  lowered  its  head 
and  plunged  its  muzzle  into  the  pool.  A 
moment  afterward  it  fell  with  a  Sioux  arrow 
through  its  heart. 

The  park  was  an  attractive  camp  site,  and 
White  Otter  decided  to  remain  there  for  the 
night.  As  darkness  came  on,  however,  he 
wished  himself  back  on  the  open  plain.  He 
was  oppressed  by  a  feeling  of  dread.  The 
massive  peaks  seemed  to  cast  a  spell  of  gloom 
over  him.  They  shut  out  much  of  the  sky 
and  towered  above  him  like  grim,  destroying 
monsters  of  the  night.  To  the  prairie  lad  it 
seemed  that  he  was  at  the  portals  of  a  mys- 
terious world  of  giants.  An  avalanche  of 
sliding  snow  thundered  down  into  a  near-by 
canon,  and  White  Otter  sprang  to  his  feet 
in  alarm.  A  few  moments  afterward  an  owl 
hooted,  and  he  wondered  if  he  had  heard  the 
voice  of  the  Thunder  Bird.  The  weird  tales 
of  old  Yellow  Horse,  the  medicine-man,  ran 
through  his  mind,  and  each  new  sound  added 
fuel  to  his  imagination.  Then  he  heard  a 
wild  scream  ring  through  the  night,  and,  as 
he  was  unfamiliar  with  the  hunting  cry  of 

21 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  mountain-lion,  the  young  Sioux  feared 
that  some  evil  spirit  of  the  mountains  had 
discovered  his  fire.  He  fitted  an  arrow  to 
his  bow  and  sat  staring  wide-eyed  into  the 
dark.  However,  as  the  time  passed  and 
nothing  came  to  disturb  him,  he  finally 
laughed  away  his  fears  and  lay  down  beside 
his  fire. 

The  Sioux  was  sleeping  soundly  when  the 
great  sinewy  cat  that  had  startled  him  with 
her  scream  walked  from  her  lair  high  up  in  a 
granite  ledge  and  sniffed  the  keen  night-wind 
which  crept  up  the  mountain.  It  carried  the 
blood-scent,  and  the  lioness  growled  deep  in 
her  throat  like  an  angry  dog.  She  heard 
the  hungry  cries  of  her  kittens,  and  her  eyes 
softened  at  the  sound.  Then  the  wind  again 
brought  its  message,  and  she  bounded  away 
into  the  night  and  stole  stealthily  down  into 
the  foot-hills  in  search  of  the  kill. 

White  Otter  was  awakened  by  the  fright- 
ened snorting  of  his  pony.  Seizing  his  wea- 
pons, he  jumped  to  his  feet  and  hurried  toward 
the  piebald.  It  was  trembling  with  panic, 
and  the  lad  knew  that  danger  of  some  sort 
threatened  him.  As  he  listened  he  heard 
something  moving  near  the  carcass  of  the 

22 


THE    BUFFALO   HERD 

deer.  Then  he  heard  a  snarl,  and,  looking 
toward  the  sound,  he  saw  a  pair  of  fiery  eyes 
glaring  at  him  from  the  dark.  They  shone 
with  a  weird  greenish  luster  which  sent  a 
shudder  through  him.  Then,  as  he  recov- 
ered from  the  shock  and  aimed  his  arrow, 
they  vanished,  and  the  excited  lad  had 
doubts  of  their  reality.  He  wondered  if  he 
was  confronted  by  some  kindred  spirit  of  the 
Thunder  Bird.  A  moment  later  he  heard 
something  attempting  to  drag  away  the  buck. 
His  fear  instantly  left  him  as  he  asked  him- 
self if  it  were  the  part  of  a  Sioux  warrior  to 
stand  weakly  by  while  another  robbed  him  of 
his  spoils.  Enraged  by  the  thought,  he  crept 
forward  with  every  muscle  set  for  action, 
with  every  sense  keenly  alert,  ready  to  battle 
for  his  life. 

As  the  lad  moved  slowly  across  the  park 
he  saw  something  crouching  beside  the  car- 
cass of  the  deer.  Then  he  again  saw  the 
flash  of  those  terrifying  eyes.  This  time, 
however,  they  did  not  vanish,  and  the  Sioux 
hesitated,  for  he  read  a  challenge  in  their 
angry  gleam.  Was  he  confronted  by  the 
great  bear  of  the  mountains?  His  heart 
bounded  at  the  thought.  Unable  to  re- 

23 


THE    RED   ARROW 

sist  the  tantalizing  target,  he  released  his 
arrow. 

The  twang  of  the  bowstring  was  followed 
by  an  enraged  snarl,  and  then  a  long,  black 
shape  leaped  through  the  dark.  White  Otter 
sprang  aside,  and  the  lioness  missed  him  and 
disappeared  into  the  night.  An  instant  later 
he  saw  the  glint  of  her  eyes,  and  he  freed 
another  arrow;  it  hummed  its  way  into  the 
dark,  and  the  Sioux  knew  he  had  failed. 
Then,  except  for  the  nervous  snorting  of  his 
pony,  all  was  still.  White  Otter  peered 
anxiously  into  the  blackness;  he  wondered 
if  the  strange  beast  had  slunk  away.  He 
looked  in  vain  for  the  warning  flash  of  its 
eyes;  he  strained  his  ears  to  catch  the  sound 
of  a  stealthy  footfall.  Was  the  savage  in- 
truder creeping  toward  him?  Was  it  pre- 
paring for  another  spring?  The  possibility 
filled  him  with  alarm.  As  White  Otter  was 
unable  to  guess  from  which  direction  the 
next  attack  might  come,  each  moment  in- 
creased his  suspense. 

Then  he  had  a  sudden  warning  of  danger 
behind  him.  He  turned  just  in  time  to  drive 
an  arrow  into  the  crouching  beast  which  was 
stealing  upon  him  from  the  rear.  Mortally 

24 


THE    BUFFALO   HERD 

wounded,  the  lioness  made  her  death -leap 
and  threw  White  Otter  to  the  ground.  How- 
ever, he  escaped  with  nothing  more  serious 
than  a  few  scratches,  for  the  lioness  expired 
as  she  struck  him. 

White  Otter  had  seen  the  pelts  of  these 
great  mountain-cats  brought  into  camp  by 
Sioux  hunters,  but  this  was  the  first  time  he 
had  looked  upon  the  animal  itself.  He 
attempted  to  drag  the  lioness  across  the  park, 
but  it  was  an  unusually  large  one  and  the  lad 
found  his  strength  unequal  to  the  task.  Then 
he  brought  some  embers  from  his  fire,  and 
when  he  had  kindled  them  into  flame  he  sat 
down  in  the  ruddy  glow  to  examine  the  strange 
beast  he  had  killed.  He  looked  solemnly 
into  the  fierce  face;  he  lifted  the  great  padded 
paws,  with  their  long,  sharp  talons;  he  felt 
the  powerful  muscles  in  the  shoulders,  and 
he  parted  the  snarling  lips  and  saw  the  cruel, 
doglike  tusks.  The  lad  had  heard  the  hunters 
tell  many  boastful  stories  about  their  en- 
counters with  these  savage  beasts,  and  he 
remembered  that  old  Yellow  Horse  pointed 
proudly  to  a  long  white  scar  on  his  breast 
which  he  claimed  had  been  made  by  the  claws 
of  one  of  these  cats.  Therefore,  having 

25 


THE    RED   ARROW 

killed  the  fearsome  mountain  creature,  the 
young  Sioux  looked  upon  himself  as  a  real 
warrior,  and  he  counted  many  coups,  and 
passed  most  of  the  night  singing  and  dancing 
about  the  lioness. 


Ill 

A   DAY  OF  ADVENTURES 

THE  next  morning,  after  concealing  the 
carcasses  of  the  deer  and  the  lioness 
and  assuring  himself  that  the  plain  was  free 
of  enemies,  White  Otter  left  his  pony  in  the 
foot-hills  and  set  out  to  explore  the  mountains. 
The  tales  about  the  fierce  creatures  which 
inhabited  their  rugged  fastnesses  had  aroused 
his  curiosity,  and  he  was  determined  to  see 
some  of  them.  He  was  particularly  anxious 
to  find  a  great  white  ram  with  queer  curved 
horns  which  lived  far  up  on  the  most  inacces- 
sible pinnacles.  Yellow  Horse  had  told  him 
that  none  but  the  most  daring  hunters  had 
ever  looked  upon  it,  and  White  Otter  was 
eager  to  share  the  distinction. 

Among  the  foot-hills  the  lad  saw  many 
deer  and  several  bands  of  elk,  but  as  he  was 
well  supplied  with  meat  he  made  no  attempt 
to  hunt  them.  Then  he  came  to  the  steep, 

27 


THE    RED   ARROW 

pine-clad  slopes  which  clothed  the  base  of 
the  mountains.  Climbing  was  hard  work, 
and  when  he  finally  left  the  timber  and  strug- 
gled up  to  the  barren,  wind-swept  stretches 
of  slide-rock,  he  was  forced  to  stop  for  breath. 
He  seated  himself  on  a  boulder  and  took  note 
of  his  surroundings.  To  a  lad  of  the  prairie 
the  mountainside  was  bleak  and  inhospitable. 
The  trees  had  dwindled  to  mere  wind-twisted 
shrubs,  and  the  vegetation  had  degenerated 
to  a  dry  black  lichen  which  only  added  to 
the  somberness  of  the  cold  gray  rocks  it 
adorned.  The  Sioux  felt  depressed ;  he  missed 
the  grass  and  the  flowers  and  the  birds,  and 
he  looked  longingly  upon  his  beloved  plain. 
After  a  long,  exhausting  climb  White  Otter 
at  last  came  to  the  edge  of  the  vast  precipitous 
snow-field  which  extended  to  the  very  base 
of  the  pinnacles  he  wished  to  explore.  It 
was  an  unfamiliar  barrier,  and  the  lad  mis- 
trusted it.  He  was  forced  to  cut  footholds 
in  its  icy  crust,  and  the  ascent  became  dim- 
cult  and  dangerous.  When  he  was  half-way 
to  the  top  he  was  halted  by  a  thunderous  roar 
from  a  giant  peak  at  his  left,  and,  turning  his 
head,  he  saw  a  great  avalanche  of  sliding 
snow  sweep  down  the  mountainside.  It  sug- 

28 


A    DAY   OF    ADVENTURES 

gested  a  new  peril,  and  White  Otter  shuddered 
as  he  realized  that  the  frozen  mass  over  which 
he  was  crawling  might  break  loose  at  any 
moment. 

Then  he  suddenly  came  upon  the  foot- 
prints of  the  great  white  ram.  They  differed 
from  those  of  the  elk,  the  deer,  and  the  ante- 
lope, and  White  Otter  knew  them  at  once. 
As  the  trail  was  fresh,  he  determined  to  follow 
it.  It  led  him  across  the  face  of  a  treacherous 
snow-field,  and  along  a  narrow  ice-coated 
ledge.  The  old  medicine-man  had  told  him 
that  these  agile  animals  could  walk  where  no 
other  foot  could  follow,  and  the  lad  believed 
that  his  words  were  true.  The  ledge  shrank 
to  a  mere  shelf,  which  stretched  across  an 
almost  perpendicular  wall  of  ice-crusted  rock, 
and  White  Otter  realized  that  a  false  step 
would  plunge  him  to  the  bottom  of  a  canon 
more  than  a  thousand  feet  below. 

Then  he  came  to  a  place  where  the  rocky 
wall  bulged  and  cut  deep  into  the  narrow 
trail,  and  he  stopped  in  dismay.  It  seemed 
foolhardy  to  go  farther,  for  the  tiny  shelf 
which  led  around  the  projection  was  scarcely 
wider  than  his  hand.  White  Otter  found 
himself  in  a  perilous  predicament.  Unable 

29 


THE    RED   ARROW 

to  turn  around,  he  was  trapped  on  the  nar- 
row ledge  of  slippery  rock.  He  gazed  hope- 
lessly down  into  space,  and  then  up  at  the 
towering  wall  of  granite.  His  only  choice  was 
to  round  the  projection  in  the  hope  of  finding 
a  wider  trail  on  the  other  side. 

Realizing  that  delay  would  only  weaken 
his  courage,  White  Otter  prepared  to  make 
the  daring  attempt.  He  found  a  handhold 
in  the  granite  and,  with  his  body  crowded 
close  against  the  rock,  he  slowly  edged  his 
way  along  the  narrow  shelf.  It  was  a  tor- 
turing ordeal,  and  he  was  compelled  to  strain 
his  muscles  almost  to  the  breaking-point 
before  he  finally  clambered  safely  around  the 
obstruction  and  found  a  wider  ledge. 

The  lad  had  barely  recovered  from  his 
exertions  when  he  heard  the  rattle  of  loosened 
stones  and  saw  the  white  ram  bounding  away. 
As  it  was  out  of  range  he  made  no  attempt 
to  kill  it.  The  creature's  wonderful  agility 
held  him  spellbound.  He  watched  in  amaze- 
ment as  it  leaped  from  crag  to  crag,  raced 
recklessly  along  a  tiny  ^helf  of  rock,  and 
launched  itself  into  space  and  alighted  on  a 
small  rocky  platform  far  below.  Then  look- 
ing defiantly  up  at  the  intruder,  the  ram 


A    DAY   OF   ADVENTURES 

jumped  behind  a  great'  boulder  and  disap- 
peared around  a  shoulder  of  rock. 

Realizing  the  folly  of  attempting  to  follow 
it,  White  Otter  knew  that  there  was  nothing 
to  do  but  to  retrace  his  course.  Once  more 
that  bulging  "  chimney "  of  rock  barred  his 
way  and  threatened  him  with  destruction. 
Having  already  accomplished  the  difficult 
task,  however,  he  believed  he  could  do  it 
again.  At  any  rate,  he  was  compelled  to  try, 
for  there  was  no  other  way.  Again  he  flat- 
tened his  body  against  the  rock  and  cau- 
tiously slid  his  feet  along  the  tiny  ledge. 
Once  he  felt  his  fingers  losing  their  grip  and 
a  deadly  weakness  seized  him,  but  he  found 
a  new  handhold  in  time  to  save  himself,  and 
once  more  he  clambered  safely  around  the 
obstruction. 

White  Otter  found  the  descent  more  peril- 
ous than  the  climb.  However,  he  finally 
reached  the  foot  of  the  snow-field  without 
mishap,  and  made  his  way  down  the  treach- 
erous stretch  of  slide-rock.  As  he  neared  the 
timber  he  saw  something  moving  along  the 
edge  of  the  woods.  He  stopped  to  watch  it. 
A  moment  later  he  identified  the  great  bear 
of  the  mountains,  and  his  heart  filled  with 

31 


THE    RED   ARROW 

joy.  He  told  himself  that  here  was  the 
chance  to  prove  his  courage,  for  among  his 
people  a  necklace  of  bear-claws  was  accepted 
as  indisputable  proof  of  bravery. 

The  lad  had  the  wind  in  his  face,  and  he 
felt  sure  that  the  bear  had  not  discovered 
him.  It  was  a  huge  animal,  and  as  he  looked 
at  it  the  young  Sioux  recalled  many  tales  of 
the  ferocity  of  these  surly  beasts.  He  knew 
that,  once  aroused,  it  would  fight  to  the  death, 
and  the  thought  put  him  upon  his  mettle. 
White  Otter  realized  that  he  must  get  close, 
for  he  had  heard  that  it  required  many  arrows 
to  kill  these  powerful  brutes.  He  wondered 
how  he  might  approach  within  bow-shot.  He 
crawled  slowly  forward  among  the  rocks, 
but  before  he  had  covered  half  the  necessary 
distance  the  bear  disappeared  into  the  forest. 
Fearful  of  losing  his  opportunity,  White  Otter 
rose  and  hurried  recklessly  to  the  edge  of  the 
woods.  Concealing  himself  behind  a  tree,  he 
peered  anxiously  into  the  shadows.  There 
was  no  sign  of  the  bear,  and,  although  he 
held  his  breath  to  listen,  his  keen  ears  caught 
no  sound.  The  lad  was  puzzled.  It  seemed 
impossible  for  an  animal  of  such  size  to  have 
disappeared  so  quietly.  Then  he  saw  where 

32 


A    DAY   OF   ADVENTURES 

the  bear  had  stopped  to  dig  in  an  ant-hill,  and 
with  that  for  a  clue  the  determined  young 
Sioux  attempted  to  follow  the  trail. 

Old  Wolf  Robe  had  thoroughly  instructed 
him  in  the  art  of  tracking,  and  as  a  result  the 
lad  followed  the  dim  trail  without  much 
difficulty.  The  footprints  were  indistinct  and 
far  apart,  but  he  found  other  signs  that  showed 
him  which  way  the  animal  had  gone.  A 
broken  twig,  a  dislodged  stone,  some  frag- 
ments of  bark  from  a  fallen  tree,  all  these 
things  were  plain  reading.  White  Otter  knew 
that  at  any  moment  he  might  come  upon 
the  animal  itself,  and  he  fitted  one  of  his 
strongest  arrows  to  his  bow  and  held  several 
more  in  his  left  hand,  ready  for  instant  use. 
Where  the  undergrowth  was  thick  he  stopped 
and  reconnoitered  before  he  ventured  into 
the  cover.  He  came  to  a  marshy  place,  and 
found  huge  tracks  filled  with  muddy  water. 
The  lad  knew  that  the  bear  was  within  sound 
of  him,  and  he  stole  forward  as  silently  as  a 
shadow.  Then  a  twig  snapped,  and  his 
heart  bounded  at  the  sound.  Tightening  his 
bowstring,  he  wheeled  to  defend  himself,  but 
he  saw  nothing  more  dangerous  than  a  pine- 
squirrel,  which  flashed  up  a  tree-trunk  and 
3  33 


THE    RED   ARROW 

scolded  savagely.  The  trail  led  down  to  an 
open  park,  and  as  White  Otter  crawled 
stealthily  to  the  edge  of  the  timber  he  saw 
the  bear  digging  out  another  colony  of  ants. 

White  Otter's  eyes  widened  with  amaze- 
ment at  the  enormous  size  of  the  beast  before 
him.  He  understood  now  why  a  necklace  of 
bear-claws  had  such  value.  The  bear  was 
within  easy  range,  but  the  astounded  lad 
delayed  his  attack.  He  realized  that  unless 
he  pierced  its  heart  the  wounded  beast  would 
charge  him  in  blind  fury.  The  slender  flint- 
tipped  shafts  which  he  held  in  his  hand  seemed 
utterly  insufficient  for  such  an  antagonist. 
Then  as  the  bear  turned  broadside  to  him  he 
overcame  his  fears  and  bent  his  bow  until 
the  head  of  the  arrow  rested  against  his  left 
hand.  For  an  instant  he  held  it  sighted 
against  the  great  shaggy  shoulder,  and  then 
he  released  the  bowstring. 

The  arrow  buried  itself  deep  in  the  mas- 
sive form,  and  the  bear  whirled  with  the 
agility  of  a  lynx  and  snapped  off  the  willow 
shaft  close  to  the  wound.  Fearing  that  he 
had  missed  the  heart,  White  Otter  released  a 
second  arrow.  It  struck  beside  the  first,  and 
the  shock  sent  the  bear  to  its  knees.  The 

34 


A    DAY   OF   ADVENTURES 

next  instant  it  was  upon  its  feet,  roaring  with 
rage,  and  the  lad  freed  the  third  arrow. 
Then  the  bear  charged  him.  Realizing  the 
folly  of  attempting  to  stop  it,  he  sought 
safety  in  the  nearest  tree.  Wolf  Robe  had 
told  him  that  these  great  mountain-bears 
were  poor  climbers,  and  White  Otter  de- 
pended upon  the  assurance.  A  moment  later 
his  heart  filled  with  dismay  as  the  frenzied 
creature  began  to  claw  the  tree-trunk.  The 
Sioux  drove  an  arrow  into  its  shoulder,  and 
the  bear  dropped  to  the  ground.  Then,  much 
to  the  amazement  of  the  excited  young  hunter, 
it  turned  and  made  off  through  the  woods. 
Fearful  of  losing  his  prize,  White  Otter 
descended  from  the  tree  and  began  a  cau- 
tious pursuit.  He  heard  his  quarry  crashing 
through  the  undergrowth,  and  he  hurried  in 
the  direction  of  the  sounds.  Then  the  noise 
suddenly  ceased,  and  the  lad  stopped  to 
listen.  He  heard  nothing  but  the  furious 
beating  of  his  own  heart,  and  he  wondered  if 
the  bear  were  dead.  Then  a  more  alarming 
possibility  flashed  through  his  mind.  Per- 
haps the  wily  brute  had  heard  him  and  was 
hiding  in  ambush.  White  Otter's  resolution 
was  somewhat  weakened  by  the  thought,  He 

35 


THE    RED   ARROW 

knew  that  over-confidence  had  caused  the 
death  of  more  than  one  noted  Sioux  hunter, 
and  he  realized  that  he  must  be  careful. 
Still,  he  knew  that  he  must  face  the  peril,  for 
he  told  himself  that  to  turn  back  would  be 
the  act  of  a  coward.  Determined,  therefore, 
to  uphold  the  traditional  bravery  of  his 
people,  the  lad  went  forward.  He  advanced 
a  few  steps,  and  then  he  stopped  to  listen. 
As  the  silence  was  unbroken  he  believed  that 
the  bear  had  succumbed  to  its  wounds. 

White  Otter  turned  toward  a  tangled 
thicket  of  aspens  in  which  he  had  last  heard 
the  bear.  He  approached  within  short  bow- 
shot, and  then  he  stopped  and  threw  several 
stones  in  the  hope  of  inducing  the  animal 
to  expose  itself.  The  ruse  failed,  however, 
and  he  felt  sure  that  the  bear  was  dead.  He 
waited  a  few  moments  and  then  he  entered  the 
thicket. 

The  impulsive  lad  had  not  taken  five 
strides  before  he  found  himself  facing  the 
wounded  bear.  There  was  no  time  for  flight, 
and  as  the  enraged  brute  rose  upon  its  hind 
legs  White  Otter  drove  two  arrows  into  its 
breast.  Then  he  sprang  back,  and  the  bear 
plunged  to  the  ground  and  lay  still.  The 

36 


THERE    WAS   NO  TIME  FOR  FLIGHT,   AND   AS   THE   ENRAGED    BRUTE    ROSE 
UPON  ITS  HIND  LEGS  WHITE  OTTER  DROVE  TWO  ARROWS  INTO  ITS  BREAST 


A    DAY   OF   ADVENTURES 

Sioux  covered  it  with  his  arrow  until  the 
powerful  muscles  ceased  to  tremble,  and  then 
he  ran  to  the  body  and  counted  a  coup. 

While  White  Otter  was  stringing  the  great 
claws  on  a  buckskin  thong  to  wear  about  his 
neck  a  solitary  horseman  was  riding  toward 
the  foot-hills.  As  he  came  within  bow-shot 
of  the  timber  he  stopped  his  pony  and  gazed 
intently  at  the  low  wooded  slopes.  Then, 
having  discovered  nothing  to  arouse  his  sus- 
picions, he  continued  to  the  base  of  the 
ridge.  He  rode  slowly  along  the  edge  of  the 
plain  and  found  the  game  trail  which  led  to 
White  Otter's  camp  site.  Then  he  discovered 
the  tracks  of  the  piebald,  and  he  dismounted 
to  examine  them.  In  a  few  moments  he 
straightened,  and  led  his  pony  up  the  trail. 

As  the  horseman  approached  the  park  the 
piebald  whinnied,  and  he  grasped  his  pony 
by  the  nostrils  before  it  could  reply.  Then 
he  muzzled  it  with  a  piece  of  buckskin  and 
led  it  from  the  trail.  He  looked  anxiously 
about  him  as  though  he  feared  an  attack, 
but  the  piebald  continued  to  call,  and  he 
knew  that  it  was  unattended.  Leaving  his 
own  mount  concealed  in  the  timber,  the  new- 
comer stole  cautiously  around  the  edge  of  the 

37 


THE    RED   ARROW 

park.  He  hesitated  a  moment  as  he  came 
in  sight  of  the  picketed  pony,  and  then  he  ran 
from  the  edge  of  the  woods  and  led  the  pie- 
bald away.  He  tied  it  beside  his  own  horse 
and  went  back  to  watch  for  the  owner. 

The  stranger  was  a  lad  about  the  age  of  the 
young  Sioux.  He  was  shorter  and  more 
thick-set  than  White  Otter,  but  he  had  the 
same  sort  of  keen,  unflinching  eyes,  and  the 
same  type  of  strong,  manly  face.  He,  too, 
was  dressed  for  the  war- trail.  His  hair  was 
divided  into  two  braids,  which  were  bound 
with  the  white  winter  pelt  of  the  weasel. 
In  his  scalp-lock  he  wore  a  single  eagle 
feather,  which  proclaimed  him  a  warrior. 
His  dress  was  somewhat  similar  to  that  of 
White  Otter,  and  consisted  of  doeskin  leg- 
gings and  breech  -  cloth,  and  a  beautifully 
tanned  robe  of  the  black  bear.  His  war- 
shield  was  decorated  with  a  crude  drawing  of 
a  flying  bird  and  a  large  red  orb,  symbolizing 
the  rising  sun.  His  pony  was  a  wiry  little 
buckskin. 

When  he  had  fastened  the  necklace  of  bear- 
claws  about  his  neck  White  Otter  hurried 
down  the  mountainside  in  high  spirits.  The 
day  was  ending,  and  the  foot-hills  were 

38 


A    DAY   OF    ADVENTURES 

already  in  shadow.  As  he  approached  the 
spot  where  he  had  left  his  pony  he  stole  for- 
ward with  the  caution  of  a  lynx.  Then  he 
came  to  a  sudden  stop  and  stared  in  amaze- 
ment. The  piebald  had  disappeared. 

The  perplexed  lad  fitted  an  arrow  to  his 
bow  and  looked  nervously  about  him.  He 
saw  nothing  of  the  picket  stake,  and  he 
realized  that  the  pony  might  have  pulled  it 
loose  and  wandered  away.  But  there  was  a 
possibility  that  an  enemy  had  found  the 
piebald  and  had  carried  away  the  stake  to 
deceive  him.  The  only  way  to  solve  the 
riddle  was  to  venture  into  the  open  and  fol- 
low the  tracks.  The  park  was  surrounded 
by  a  heavy  growth  of  bushes,  and  White 
Otter  feared  that  an  enemy  might  be  lurking 
in  ambush.  He  saw  nothing  to  confirm  his 
suspicions,  however,  and,  realizing  that  if  the 
piebald  had  wandered  away  he  must  lose  no 
time  in  overtaking  it,  he  determined  to  crawl 
forward  and  investigate. 

The  young  Sioux  crept  through  the  cover 
as  cautiously  as  a  fox,  and  when  he  came  to 
the  end  of  it  he  stopped  and  listened.  A  bird 
sang  in  the  woods  behind  him,  and  then  all 
was  quiet.  He  rose  and  stepped  into  the 

39 


THE    RED   ARROW 

open.  For  a  moment  he  hesitated,  and  then, 
as  he  was  not  attacked,  he  went  on.  As  he 
stooped  to  examine  the  hole  left  by  the  picket 
stake  an  arrow  hummed  past  within  a  hand- 
breadth  of  him.  White  Otter  realized  that 
he  had  been  trapped.  As  he  bounded  into 
the  nearest  cover  a  second  arrow  struck  the 
tree  behind  which  he  sought  shelter. 

White  Otter  peered  carefully  around  the 
tree-trunk,  but  saw  nothing  of  his  enemy. 
He  believed  there  was  only  one,  for  he  told 
himself  that  if  there  were  more  he  would  have 
been  attacked  from  all  sides.  Then,  to  his 
amazement,  he  heard  some  one  chanting  a 
Sioux  war-song.  The  unknown  singer  seemed 
to  be  in  the  woods  opposite  him.  For  a  mo- 
ment he  mistrusted  his  ears,  and  then,  as  he 
recognized  the  words,  his  perplexity  increased. 
Several  questions  leaped  to  his  mind.  Had 
some  wandering  tribesman  come  to  his  assist- 
ance, or  was  his  enemy  endeavoring  to  decoy 
him  into  the  open?  It  was  a  boastful  song, 
which  told  of  the  bravery  of  the  Sioux  and 
scorned  the  weakness  of  their  enemies.  As  he 
listened,  White  Otter  became  convinced  that 
only  a  Sioux  could  put  such  a  challenge  into  the 
words.  When  the  singer  stopped,  the  lad  spoke. 

40 


A    DAY   OF   ADVENTURES 

"I  do  not  know  who  you  are,  but  I  am  not 
afraid  of  you.  I  am  telling  you  this  because 
I  am  a  Sioux  and  you  have  sung  the  war- 
song  of  my  people.  If  you  are  a  Sioux,  it  is 
good;  we  will  lay  aside  our  weapons  and 
meet  as  brothers.  I  have  finished." 

For  some  moments  there  was  no  response, 
and  White  Otter  watched  carefully,  for  he 
feared  treachery.  Then  he  heard  himself 
addressed  in  the  Sioux  dialect. 

"I  have  listened  to  your  words — they  are 
good.  I  am  a  Sioux,  and  I  sang  the  war- 
song  because  I  intended  to  kill  you.  The 
Sioux  do  not  greet  each  other  with  arrows. 
I  will  meet  you  with  the  open  hand.  I  have 
spoken. " 

A  few  moments  afterward  the  speaker 
walked  to  the  edge  of  the  timber  and  raised 
his  right  hand  in  token  of  friendship.  White 
Otter  instantly  stepped  from  behind  the 
tree  and  replied  to  the  signal.  Then  each 
put  his  bow  in  its  case  and  advanced  into 
the  open.  They  stopped  several  paces  apart 
and  looked  searchingly  into  each  other's 
eyes.  Then  White  Otter  offered  his  hand. 

"You  have  taken  my  pony;  it  is  good,  for 
I  know  you  are  brave.  I  will  ask  you  for  it, 

41 


THE    RED   ARROW 

for  my  heart  is  peaceful  toward  you.  I  see 
you  wear  an  eagle  feather,  and  I  know  you 
are  a  warrior.  I  am  White  Otter,  the  son  of 
Standing  Buffalo,  who  has  gone  on  the  long 
trail,  and  the  grandson  of  Wolf  Robe,  the 
war-chief  of  the  Ogalala  Sioux. " 

They  clasped  hands.  Then  the  other  lad 
replied  to  the  greeting. 

"What  you  say  is  good.  I  will  give  you 
your  pony,  for  I  see  that  you  are  a  Sioux. 
I  see  that  you  wear  the  claws  of  the  great 
bear,  and  I  know  you  are  a  brave  hunter. 
I  am  Sun  Bird.  My  father  is  Rain  Crow, 
the  medicine-man  of  the  Minneconjoux  Sioux. 
I  have  heard  my  people  talk  about  the  great 
chief  Wolf  Robe." 

Having  offered  the  customary  compliments 
and  proclaimed  their  friendship  with  the  hand- 
clasp, the  lads  returned  to  the  ponies.  Then 
White  Otter  disappeared  into  the  woods,  and 
returned  with  the  buffalo  robes.  Sun  Bird's 
eyes  sparkled  as  he  ran  his  fingers  over  the 
valuable  pelt  of  the  albino,  and  he  compli- 
mented White  Otter  on  his  good  fortune. 

That  night  they  sat  beside  the  camp-fire 
and  talked  of  their  plans.  Sun  Bird  said 
that  he,  too,  was  on  a  war  journey.  His 

42 


A    DAY   OF   ADVENTURES 

younger  brother,  Little  Raven,  had  been  car- 
ried away  by  the  Pawnees,  and  Rain  Crow 
had  sent  Sun  Bird  to  rescue  him.  Then  White 
Otter  told  his  mission,  and  they  agreed  to 
combine  against  their  hated  enemies. 


IV 

A  CROW  WAR   PARTY 

A?  sunrise  the  Sioux  left  the  foot-hills  and 
rode  away  toward  the  south.  They 
kept  a  sharp  watch  for  stray  companies  of 
horsemen,  as  they  knew  that  the  Blackfeet, 
the  Crows,  and  the  Kiowas  all  ventured  into 
that  country  to  hunt  buffaloes.  Sun  Bird 
had  seen  a  solitary  horseman  two  days  be- 
fore, and,  fearing  that  the  unknown  rider 
might  have  been  a  hostile  scout,  the  lads 
determined  to  take  every  precaution. 

At  midday  they  stopped  at  a  water-hole  to 
rest  the  ponies.  As  they  lounged  in  the  grate- 
ful shade  of  a  lone  cottonwood  White  Otter 
asked  Sun  Bird  how  he  had  won  the  right  to 
fasten  an  eagle  feather  to  his  scalp-lock. 
Sun  Bird's  eyes  lighted  with  pride  as  he  told 
the  story. 

"You  have  asked  me  how  I  became  a 
warrior.  We  are  brothers.  I  will  tell  you 

44 


A   CROW   WAR   PARTY 

about  it.  It  was  the  time  of  growing  things, 
the  same  as  now.  I  went  with  my  mother  to 
the  foot-hills  to  gather  berries.  There  were 
many  berries,  and  we  were  glad.  We  began 
to  sing.  Then  I  saw  something  moving  in 
the  bushes.  'Mother,  be  careful,  there  is  a 
bear  near  you/  I  said.  But  I  was  fooled. 
A  Kiowa  warrior  rose  up  and  shot  an  arrow 
at  me.  'Run  to  the  horses/  I  shouted. 
Two  more  Kiowas  came  hurrying  through 
the  bushes.  We  got  to  the  ponies,  but  the 
Kiowas  killed  my  horse.  I  was  shooting  my 
arrows  and  shouting  the  Sioux  war-cry. 
When  my  mother  got  on  her  horse  I  jumped 
up  behind  her.  The  Kiowas  had  no  horses, 
but  they  ran  very  fast,  and  they  kept  shoot- 
ing their  arrows  at  me.  After  a  long  time  we 
came  in  sight  of  our  village  and  the  people 
saw  us.  When  the  Kiowas  saw  the  Sioux 
coming  they  became  frightened  and  turned 
back,  but  I  jumped  from  the  horse  and  ran 
after  them.  Then  the  Sioux  warriors  came 
up  and  captured  the  Kiowas.  That  is  how 
I  became  a  warrior/' 

"It  is  good;  you  are  very  brave/'  said 
White  Otter. 

Then  Sun  Bird  asked  White  Otter  to  tell 
45 


THE    RED   ARROW 

of  his  encounter  with  the  bear.  The  story 
was  scarcely  begun,  however,  when  they  were 
startled  by  the  sudden  neighing  of  their 
ponies.  A  moment  afterward  they  heard  a 
chorus  of  wild  yells,  and  as  they  sprang  to 
their  feet  in  alarm  they  saw  a  large  war  party 
riding  furiously  over  a  rise  of  the  plain. 

"They  are  Crows!"  cried  Sun  Bird. 

The  enemy  was  almost  upon  them;  there 
was  not  a  moment  to  spare.  Leaping  upon 
their  ponies,  the  Sioux  lashed  them  into  a 
furious  gallop  and  raced  away  across  the 
plain.  The  Crows  began  to  shoot  their  ar- 
rows, but  they  were  out  of  range,  and  the  lads 
made  no  attempt  to  return  the  volley. 

"To  the  mountains!  To  the  mountains!" 
cried  White  Otter,  as  he  turned  his  pony 
toward  the  west. 

The  piebald  and  the  buckskin  ran  shoulder 
to  shoulder,  and  the  Crows  urged  their  ponies 
to  a  killing  pace  in  the  hope  of  overtaking 
them.  The  mountains  seemed  very  far  away 
and  the  Sioux  realized  that  the  race  would 
be  a  long  one.  They  knew  only  too  well 
the  fate  which  awaited  them  if  they  were 
caught,  and  their  hearts  weakened  as  they 
glanced  anxiously  over  their  shoulders  and 


A  CROW   WAR    PARTY 

saw  the  foremost  riders  almost  within  arrow- 
range. 

"The  Crow  horses  are  fast,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"Come,  we  will  show  them  how  the  Sioux 
ponies  can  run,"  cried  White  Otter,  as  he 
urged  the  piebald  to  a  fresh  burst  of  speed. 

Maddened  by  the  sting  of  the  heavy  raw- 
hide quirts,  which  the  lads  applied  without 
mercy,  the  Sioux  ponies  increased  their  lead. 
The  Crows  did  their  utmost  to  close  the  gap, 
but  their  horses  were  unequal  to  the  task, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  day,  when  the  Sioux 
finally  neared  the  mountains,  their  pursuers 
were  far  out  of  arrow-range. 

The  lads  raced  their  exhausted  ponies 
toward  a  narrow,  canon-like  pass  which  led 
into  a  small  circular  basin  entirely  closed  in 
by  high,  precipitous  walls  of  rock.  Once 
inside,  they  barricaded  the  entrance  with 
boulders  and  transformed  the  place  into  an 
impregnable  stronghold. 

The  Crows  stopped  out  of  arrow-range  to 
hold  a  council.  The  odds  had  suddenly 
turned  against  them,  and  they  realized  that 
an  attempt  to  storm  the  place  in  daylight 
might  result  in  heavy  loss.  They  determined, 
therefore,  to  postpone  their  attack  until  dark. 

47 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Having  guessed  the  intentions  of  their 
enemies,  the  Sioux  determined  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  delay.  Therefore,  while  White 
Otter  crouched  behind  the  barricade  to  watch 
the  Crows,  Sun  Bird  made  a  hurried  survey 
of  the  basin.  He  found  that  it  contained  a 
small  spring  and  offered  fair  pasturage  for  the 
ponies,  and  the  lads  felt  confident  that  they 
could  withstand  a  siege.  They  realized  that 
to  reach  them  the  Crows  would  have  to  enter 
the  narrow  pass  two  at  a  time,  and  they  be- 
lieved they  could  shoot  them  down  with  little 
danger  to  themselves. 

"The  Crows  will  wait  until  dark,"  said 
White  Otter. 

"We  must  watch,"  cautioned  Sun  Bird. 

The  Sioux  realized  that  there  was  a  pos- 
sibility of  their  enemies  stealing  into  the  pass 
under  cover  of  the  night,  and  as  twilight 
gave  way  to  dark  they  redoubled  their  vigi- 
lance. Sheltered  behind  the  boulders,  they 
peered  anxiously  into  the  night,  straining 
their  ears  to  catch  the  slightest  warning  of 
danger.  For  a  long  time  the  stillness  was 
unbroken,  but  the  ominous  quiet  only  added 
to  their  suspense.  Then  they  heard  some- 
thing which  aroused  their  suspicions.  Be- 

48 


A    CROW    WAR    PARTY 

lieving  that  the  Crows  were  about  to  make 
their  attack,  the  lads  fitted  arrows  to  their 
bows  and  nerved  themselves  for  the  fight. 
They  listened  anxiously,  and  after  a  few  mo- 
ments they  heard  something  moving  cau- 
tiously toward  the  barricade. 

"It  is  a  scout/*  whispered  Sun  Bird. 

White  Otter  rose  to  his  knees  and  dis- 
charged his  arrow.  They  heard  a  hurried 
pattering  of  moccasined  feet,  and  they  knew 
that  they  had  driven  off  the  first  prowler. 
The  incident  banished  all  desire  for  sleep, 
and  they  remained  awake  through  the  balance 
of  the  night. 

At  daylight  there  was  not  a  pony  or  a  war- 
rior in  sight.  The  lads  were  astonished.  They 
peeped  cautiously  over  their  breastwork,  and 
found  the  vast  plain  apparently  devoid  of  life. 
The  Sioux  were  puzzled.  Had  the  Crows 
really  abandoned  the  siege?  It  seemed  most 
unlikely,  and  the  lads  were  suspicious. 

"See,  there  is  a  warrior  hiding  in  those 
bushes/'  whispered  White  Otter,  pointing  to 
a  near-by  clump  of  sage. 

With  the  discovery,  the  whole  clever  ruse 
was  exposed,  and  the  lads  laughed  at  the  very 
simplicity  of  it.  The  Crows  had  left  a  few 

4  49 


THE    RED   ARROW 

warriors  hidden  in  the  sage,  while  the  main 
company  had  ridden  away  in  the  hope  of 
luring  the  Sioux  from  the  pass. 

"They  have  taken  their  ponies  to  a  water- 
hole;  they  will  return,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

It  was  not  long  before  his  prediction  was 
fulfilled,  and  the  lads  saw  the  riders  cantering 
boldly  across  the  plain.  As  they  approached, 
the  concealed  scouts  rose  to  their  feet  and 
hastened  to  meet  them. 

Then  the  Crows  held  another  lengthy  coun- 
cil. From  their  excited  gestures  it  was  evi- 
dent that  some  of  the  warriors  were  in  favor 
of  attacking  the  pass  without  further  delay. 
The  majority,  however,  seemed  opposed  to 
this  reckless  proposal,  and  the  Sioux  com- 
mended their  caution.  Their  satisfaction  was 
short-lived,  however,  for  several  of  the  more 
impulsive  warriors  mounted  their  ponies,  and 
raced  toward  the  pass,  brandishing  their 
weapons  and  yelling  fiercely. 

"Be  brave/'  said  Sun  Bird. 

"I  am  a  Sioux,"  replied  White  Otter. 

The  lads  waited  calmly  for  the  horsemen 
to  come  within  range.  The  Crows,  however, 
were  taking  no  chances,  and  when  they  got 
within  bow-shot  they  disappeared  behind 

50 


A   CROW   WAR    PARTY 

their  horses,  and  galloped  past,  discharging 
their  arrows  from  beneath  the  necks  of  their 
ponies.  Their  fusillade  was  harmless,  and  the 
Sioux  reserved  their  arrows. 

Once  more  the  Crows  gathered  for  a 
spirited  discussion,  and  the  lads  wondered 
what  the  result  would  be.  They  were  not 
long  left  in  doubt.  In  a  few  moments  a 
solitary  warrior  detached  himself  from  the 
group  and  rode  cautiously  toward  the  pass. 
He  wore  a  handsome  war-bonnet  and  carried 
himself  with  the  dignity  of  a  chief,  and  the 
Sioux  felt  sure  he  was  the  leader  of  the  war 
party.  Then  he  began  to  address  them  in  the 
sign  language.  He  professed  a  friendly  heart 
and  asked  the  lads  to  come  out  and  talk  with 
him. 

"He  speaks  with  a  double  tongue;  we  must 
be  cautious,"  warned  White  Otter. 

"We  will  see  what  he  says,"  replied  Sun 
Bird. 

As  the  lads  made  no  reply  the  Crow  ap- 
parently supposed  them  unfamiliar  with  his 
signs,  and  he  addressed  them  in  Sioux. 

[<You  Sioux  people,  listen  to  the  words  of 
Spotted  Dog,  for  he  is  a  great  chief,  and  he 
speaks  with  a  single  tongue.  My  heart  is 


THE    RED   ARROW 

friendly  toward  you.  You  are  young  men, 
but  you  are  brave;  it  is  good.  If  you  will 
stop  fighting  and  come  out  we  will  meet  you 
as  brothers.  We  will  take  you  to  our  village 
and  tell  the  people  about  you.  We  will 
dance  the  friendship  dance  and  make  you 
Crows.  Then  you  can  become  great  warriors. 
But  I  will  tell  you  that  the  hearts  of  my  war- 
riors are  black  against  their  enemies,  the 
Sioux.  If  you  do  not  do  this  thing  they  will 
surely  kill  you.  You  have  heard  my  words; 
think  about  them  before  you  speak.  I  have 
finished." 

For  some  moments  the  Sioux  remained 
silent.  Only  the  threatening  flash  of  their 
eyes  showed  the  wrath  which  was  flaming  in 
their  hearts.  They  knew  that  the  words  of 
the  Crow  were  false  and  that  the  whole  de- 
ceitful speech  was  a  trap  to  entice  them  to 
their  deaths.  But  even  had  it  been  sincere 
they  would  have  scorned  the  offer  and  chosen 
death  in  preference  to  traitorous  disloyalty 
to  their  tribe.  When  their  first  fierce  anger 
passed,  therefore,  Sun  Bird  rose  boldly  to  his 
feet  and  delivered  their  reply. 

"We  have  heard  the  words  of  Spotted  Dog, 
and  we  know  that  he  speaks  with  a  double 

52 


A   CROW   WAR    PARTY 

tongue.  Go  back  to  your  warriors  and  tell 
them  that  the  Sioux  laugh  at  them,"  he  cried 
as  he  shot  his  arrow  at  the  astounded  Crow 
chief. 

Having  offered  this  daring  insult  the  lads 
realized  that  they  could  expect  no  quarter. 
They  knew  that  the  siege  would  be  main- 
tained to  the  bitter  end.  To  strengthen 
their  courage  they  began  to  chant  their  war- 
songs  and  to  taunt  their  enemies.  They  chal- 
lenged the  Crows  to  enter  the  pass  and  called 
them  women. 

As  the  second  day  neared  its  end,  however, 
the  Sioux  realized  that  their  predicament  was 
becoming  serious.  They  saw  that  their  ene- 
mies were  determined  to  starve  them  out,  and 
they  planned  to  escape  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. The  Crows  had  despatched  hunters 
to  find  game,  and  at  sundown  they  returned 
with  an  antelope.  They  broiled  it  in  sight 
of  the  Sioux,  and  invited  them  to  come  out 
and  partake  of  the  feast.  The  hunters  had 
also  brought  two  buffalo -skin  gourds  filled 
with  water,  and  as  they  drank  they  jeered  the 
imprisoned  lads,  evidently  unaware  that  the 
Sioux  were  in  possession  of  the  spring. 

When  darkness  finally  settled  upon  the 
53 


THE    RED   ARROW 

plain  the  lads  began  to  discuss  the  advisa- 
bility of  attempting  to  steal  from  the  pass. 
While  they  were  talking,  however,  they  heard 
the  Crow  war-cry  ring  through  the  night,  and 
they  knew  that  their  enemies  were  rushing 
upon  them  under  cover  of  the  dark.  Undis- 
mayed, they  raised  their  voices  in  the  Sioux 
battle-cry  and  filled  the  narrow  pass  with 
their  arrows.  Demoralized  by  the  unex- 
pected resistance,  the  Crows  withdrew  in  dis- 
order. For  a  time  they  contented  themselves 
with  yelling  and  shooting  their  arrows  against 
the  rocks.  Then  they  relapsed  into  silence, 
but  the  lads  knew  that  the  attack  would  be 
renewed. 

It  was  not  long  before  another  company  of 
volunteers  rushed  into  the  pass,  but  the  val- 
iant young  Sioux  again  repulsed  them  and 
drove  them  back  to  the  plain.  During  the 
fight  White  Otter  received  an  arrow  in  his 
shoulder,  but  he  cut  the  flint  from  his  flesh 
and  made  light  of  the  injury.  After  the 
Crows  had  withdrawn,  however,  he  hurried 
to  the  little  spring  to  bathe  the  wound,  while 
Sun  Bird  kept  guard  at  the  pass. 

"Now  I  know  what  to  do,"  said  Sun  Bird, 
when  White  Otter  returned.  "The  Crows 

54 


A   CROW   WAR    PARTY 

fight  on  foot;  it  is  good.  They  must  leave 
their  ponies  out  on  the  plain.  I  will  crawl 
out  of  here  and  find  them.  Then,  when  the 
Crows  make  another  rush,  I  will  frighten 
away  the  horses.  The  Crows  will  run  out 
of  the  pass  when  they  hear  their  ponies  gal- 
loping off.  I  will  run  around  and  shout,  and 
they  will  say:  'The  Sioux  are  here — run  for 
your  life.'  Then  you  can  escape  with  our 
ponies.  Ride  along  the  edge  of  the  plain, 
and  I  will  capture  one  of  the  Crow  horses  and 
follow  you.  It  is  the  best  thing  to  do." 

"  Your  words  are  the  words  of  a  brave  war- 
rior," replied  White  Otter.  "It  is  good;  we 
will  do  as  you  say,  but  I  will  go  with  you." 

"No,  that  would  be  foolish,"  declared  Sun 
Bird.  "One  must  stay  here  to  bring  out  the 
horses.  The  Crows  have  sharp  ears;  they  will 
hear  us  if  we  try  to  take  the  ponies  away  while 
they  are  watching.  We  must  fool  them.  I  will 
do  what  is  in  my  mind.  I  have  spoken  it." 

"It  is  the  best  thing  to  do,"  White  Otter 
finally  agreed. 

Then  Sun  Bird  went  for  the  ponies.  He 
muzzled  them  and  brought  them  to  White 
Otter. 

"But  if  you  fail  to  capture  a  Crow  pony, 
55 


THE    RED   ARROW 

what  then?"  White  Otter  asked,  anxiously, 
as  Sun  Bird  was  about  to  start  upon  his  dan- 
gerous expedition. 

"Then  I  will  follow  you  on  foot;  go  a  safe 
distance  and  wait  for  me." 

"The  Crows  may  capture  you." 

"Then  I  will  give  the  lonely  call  of  the 
coyote,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"And  I  will  follow  the  Crows  until  I  set 
you  free,"  White  Otter  declared,  loyally. 

"It  is  good— I  will  go." 

They  listened  anxiously,  but  the  great  plain 
was  still.  They  wondered  whether  the  Crows 
were  holding  another  council.  Then,  as  the 
silence  continued,  Sun  Bird  climbed  care- 
fully over  the  barricade  and  disappeared  into 
the  night. 

White  Otter  breathed  a  prayer  to  the  Great 
Mystery  for  the  safety  of  his  friend.  Then 
he  fitted  an  arrow  to  his  bow,  and  waited  in 
weary  suspense.  As  the  moments  passed,  and 
the  quiet  continued,  he  believed  that  Sun 
Bird  had  reached  the  plain.  He  knew  that, 
once  in  the  open,  the  lad  would  have  little 
difficulty  in  avoiding  his  enemies.  Then,  to 
deceive  any  prowlers  who  might  be  within  ear- 
shot, White  Otter  began  to  talk. 

56 


A   CROW    WAR    PARTY 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  sound  of  stealthy 
footsteps  close  to  his  shelter.  His  first  thought 
was  that  Sun  Bird,  having  found  the  way 
blocked,  was  returning.  Fearful  of  mistaking 
his  friend  for  an  enemy,  he  withheld  his  arrow. 
He  dared  not  call  lest  he  should  advise  the 
Crows  that  his  comrade  had  left  the  pass. 
When  the  unseen  prowler  gave  no  sign  White 
Otter  knew  that  it  was  not  Sun  Bird,  and  he 
prepared  himself  for  the  final  assault. 

A  moment  later  the  Crows  attacked  the 
pass,  and  White  Otter  realized  that  this  time 
they  were  determined  to  reach  their  enemies. 
He  fought  furiously,  but  the  Crows  were  not 
to  be  driven  back.  They  were  almost  upon 
him  and  the  lad  became  desperate.  He 
wondered  what  had  happened  to  Sun  Bird. 
Why  did  he  delay?  Perhaps  he  had  been 
killed.  The  thought  drove  White  Otter  into 
a  fury.  He  saw  a  warrior  climbing  recklessly 
over  the  barricade,  and  he  drove  his  arrow 
through  him.  The  Crow  fell  back,  but  a 
comrade  appeared  behind  him.  They  were 
forcing  the  pass.  White  Otter  knew  that  it 
was  only  a  matter  of  moments  until  they 
would  overwhelm  him.  Still  he  determined 
to  fight  to  the  end.  Foot  by  foot  he  was 

57 


THE    RED   ARROW 

forced  back  toward  the  basin.  Then,  as  the 
Crows  rushed  forward  to  annihilate  him,  he 
heard  the  Sioux  battle-cry  echo  across  the 
plain,  and  an  instant  afterward  the  thunder 
of  galloping  horses. 

Believing  themselves  trapped,  the  Crows 
became  panic  -  stricken.  They  heard  their 
ponies  racing  away  in  a  wild  stampede,  and 
they  also  heard  the  war-cry  of  their  enemies 
ringing  out  in  various  parts  of  the  plain. 
Thoroughly  demoralized,  they  rushed  from 
the  pass  and  scattered  in  all  directions. 

Aware  that  his  opportunity  was  at  hand, 
White  Otter  kicked  a  hole  in  the  barricade, 
and  sprang  upon  the  piebald.  Then  he  gal- 
loped the  ponies  from  the  pass,  and  retreated 
along  the  edge  of  the  plain.  As  he  rode  he 
raised  the  piercing  battle-shout  of  his  people. 
He  heard  Sun  Bird  yelling  a  short  distance 
behind  him,  and  he  slackened  his  pace.  Then 
he  heard  the  thud  of  hoofs,  and  Sun  Bird 
galloped  beside  him  on  a  fiery  little  pinto. 
Realizing  that  the  third  pony  would  only  be 
a  hindrance,  he  turned  it  free,  and  rode  away 
on  the  buckskin. 

1  'You  have  done  a  brave  thing;  we  will 
escape/'  said  White  Otter. 

58 


A   CROW   WAR    PARTY 

"Yes,  we  will  escape,"  laughed  Sun  Bird. 
"I  have  sent  the  Crow  ponies  across  the 
plain,  and  the  Crows  are  running  like  fright- 
ened rabbits.  But  the  warrior  on  guard 
escaped  on  his  pony.  He  will  bring  back  the 
horses,  but  we  will  be  far  away  by  that  time." 

When  they  were  out  of  hearing  of  their 
enemies  the  Sioux  turned  from  the  mountains 
and  raced  across  the  plain.  They  rode  until 
daylight,  and  then  they  took  shelter  in  a  grove 
of  cottonwoods  beside  a  small  stream. 


V 

A  LOSS   RETRIEVED 

THE  lads  knew  that  when  the  Crows 
eventually  recovered  their  ponies  they 
would  begin  a  determined  pursuit.  There- 
fore, the  anxious  young  Sioux  soon  left  the 
cottonwoods  and  continued  their  flight  across 
the  plain.  As  they  rode  they  glanced  un- 
easily behind  them,  expecting  to  see  their 
foes  gallop  into  view  at  any  moment.  How- 
ever, as  time  passed  and  the  Crows  failed 
to  appear  the  lads  began  to  hope  that  they 
had  eluded  them. 

The  day  was  drawing  to  a  close  when  Sun 
Bird  saw  something  far  away  to  the  west 
which  caused  them  to  stop  their  ponies  and 
watch  anxiously.  After  Sun  Bird's  first  short 
glimpse  of  it,  however,  the  mysterious  object 
had  disappeared  behind  a  swell  of  the  plain, 
and  although  the  lads  waited  some  time  it 
failed  to  reappear. 

60 


A   LOSS    RETRIEVED 

"Perhaps  it  is  a  wolf,"  said  White  Otter. 

"No;  there  is  a  scout  hiding  behind  that 
ridge,"  declared  Sun  Bird. 

"How  do  you  know  this  thing?" 

"My  eyes  have  told  me  about  it.  A  wolf 
does  not  hide  when  the  hunters  are  far  off," 
replied  Sun  Bird. 

"It  is  true.  Perhaps  it  is  the  Crow  war- 
rior who  was  guarding  the  ponies.  I  believe 
he  has  followed  us.  Come,  we  will  go  over 
there  and  fight  with  him,"  White  Otter  pro- 
posed, fearlessly. 

"No,  that  would  be  very  foolish.  Per- 
haps it  is  not  a  Crow.  There  may  be  many 
warriors  hiding  behind  that  ridge,"  cautioned 
Sun  Bird. 

"Your  words  are  good.  We  will  be  very 
cautious." 

"Yes,  my  heart  tells  me  there  is  danger." 

The  lads  rode  on,  keeping  a  sharp  watch  for 
their  foes.  They  feared  that  they  were  fol- 
lowed, and  the  thought  caused  them  much 
concern.  However,  as  they  saw  nothing  to 
strengthen  their  suspicions,  at  sunset  they 
stopped  for  the  night  beside  a  little  pool. 
They  concealed  their  tiny  fire  in  a  shallow 
depression  of  the  plain,  and  after  they  had 

61 


THE    RED   ARROW 

broiled  some  buffalo  meat  they  extinguished 
the  embers  with  handfuls  of  earth.  Then 
they  picketed  the  ponies  close  at  hand,  and 
sat  down  to  watch  until  dark. 

When  darkness  finally  settled  upon  the 
plain  the  Sioux  increased  their  vigilance. 
They  sat  beside  each  other  in  silence,  lis- 
tening for  a  sound  which  might  warn  them 
of  an  impending  attack.  At  last  they  rose 
and  circled  cautiously  about  their  camp  site. 
Then,  having  failed  to  discover  any  foes  lurk- 
ing in  the  vicinity,  they  felt  somewhat  more 
at  ease.  However,  they  determined  to  take 
every  precaution,  and  they  decided  that  one 
should  watch  while  the  other  slept. 

"It  is  the  best  thing  to  do,"  said  Sun  Bird. 
"I  will  watch  near  the  ponies." 

Some  time  afterward  White  Otter  was 
roused  from  a  heavy  slumber  by  the  pres- 
sure of  his  friend's  hand.  He  was  rubbing  the 
sleep  from  his  eyes  when  the  lads  were  startled 
by  the  snorting  of  the  ponies.  At  the  sound 
Sun  Bird  turned  and  disappeared  into  the 
night,  and  White  Otter  sprang  to  his  feet 
and  followed  him.  But  before  they  had 
gone  ten  paces  they  heard  the  ponies  gal- 
loping wildly  across  the  plain  to  the  accom- 


A   LOSS    RETRIEVED 

paniment  of  wild  shouts  of  triumph.  Realiz- 
ing that  they  had  been  outwitted,  the  dis- 
mayed young  Sioux  stopped  short  and  looked 
hopelessly  into  each  other's  eyes. 

"We  are  like  foolish  papooses, "  Sun  Bird 
cried,  bitterly. 

"Yes,  we  are  like  cackling  old  women," 
declared  White  Otter. 

Once  again  the  unknown  foe  sent  his  war- 
cry  ringing  through  the  night,  and  the  Sioux 
noted  that  he  rode  toward  the  east.  They 
believed  that  he  was  alone,  and  their  hearts 
burned  with  wrath  as  they  realized  how 
easily  he  had  gained  his  victory. 

"I  believe  it  is  a  Crow,"  said  White  Otter. 

"No,  my  heart  tells  me  another  thing," 
replied  Sun  Bird.  "I  believe  that  warrior  is 
a  Kiowa." 

Sun  Bird  said  that  he  had  often  heard  his 
father  tell  about  a  large  Kiowa. village,  which 
was  two  days'  travel  east  of  the  great  moun- 
tains. As  the  horseman  had  ridden  away  in 
that  direction,  Sun  Bird  felt  sure  that  it  was 
a  Kiowa  who  had  stolen  their  ponies. 

"I  believe  it  is  so,"  said  White  Otter. 

The  lads  realized  that  they  were  in  a  serious 
predicament,  and  they  were  depressed  and 

63 


THE    RED   ARROW 

disheartened.  They  knew  that  it  would  be 
folly  to  attempt  to  continue  their  journey  on 
foot,  and  they  sat  down  to  plan  a  way  out  of 
the  difficulty.  They  felt  quite  sure  that  the 
victorious  scout  would  return  with  a  war 
party  in  the  hope  of  overtaking  them  before 
they  reached  the  mountains,  and  they  realized 
that  they  must  act  quickly  to  save  themselves. 

"We  must  find  the  Kiowa  camp/'  declared 
White  Otter.  "Then  we  will  wait  until  we 
see  our  ponies.  When  it  is  dark  we  will  take 
them  away." 

Sun  Bird  instantly  agreed  to  the  plan,  and 
as  they  were  anxious  to  take  advantage  of  the 
night  the  daring  lads  immediately  set  out 
upon  their  perilous  mission.  Aware  of  the 
folly  of  trying  to  find  the  trail  of  their  foe  in 
the  dark,  they  wasted  no  time  in  the  attempt, 
but  traveled  toward  the  east,  with  the  stars 
to  guide  them.  They  hurried  along  at  an 
exhausting  pace,  for  they  knew  that  they 
might  be  forced  into  hiding  at  daylight. 

"The  Kiowas  will  look  for  us  near  the 
mountains.  They  will  not  find  us.  No,  we 
will  hide  near  their  village,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"You  are  as  wise  as  the  fox,"  declared 
White  Otter. 

64 


A    LOSS    RETRIEVED 

When  darkness  at  last  gave  way  to  dawn, 
the  lads  advanced  with  greater  caution,  for 
they  knew  that  it  would  be  fatal  to  be  dis- 
covered on  the  open  plain  in  daylight.  At 
sunrise  they  stopped,  and  looked  anxiously 
about  them  for  some  trace  of  the  Kiowa 
camp.  As  they  saw  nothing  to  give  them  a 
clue  to  its  location  they  were  undecided 
which  way  to  go.  However,  the  plain  seemed 
to  offer  more  shelter  toward  the  east,  and 
they  finally  determined  to  continue  in  that 
direction. 

"The  Kiowas  are  our  enemies;  we  must  be 
as  watchful  as  the  eagle,"  said  Sun  Bird,  as 
they  hurried  along. 

They  scouted  carefully  throughout  the  day, 
but  were  unable  to  locate  the  Kiowa  camp, 
and  as  the  sun  finally  sank  below  the  western 
horizon  they  began  to  lose  hope.  The  lads 
were  soon  roused,  however,  by  the  sight  of  a 
dust-cloud  which  rose  behind  a  long,  undulat- 
ing swell  of  the  plain  to  the  south  of  them. 
Believing  that  it  was  a  warning  of  danger, 
the  Sioux  took  shelter  in  a  heavy  stand  of 
timber,  and  watched  the  alarming  signal 
with  much  anxiety.  It  was  not  long  before  a 
company  of  horsemen  appeared  on  the  crest 
5  65 


THE    RED   ARROW 

of  the  ridge,  and  the  lads*  hearts  bounded  at 
sight  of  them.  Then,  as  the  riders  galloped 
their  ponies  toward  the  trees,  the  Sioux 
turned  to  each  other  in  despair. 

"It  is  the  war  party!'*  cried  White  Otter. 

For  an  instant  the  lads  thought  of  dashing 
recklessly  across  the  plain,  but  a  moment's 
deliberation  convinced  them  that  such  a 
manoeuver  would  be  mere  folly.  They  real- 
ized that  it  would  be  impossible  to  escape 
from  their  mounted  foes  except  by  stratagem, 
and  they  decided  to  remain  in  the  grove. 

"We  must  hide  like  the  squirrel,"  said  Sun 
Bird. 

"Yes,  I  believe  it  is  the  only  thing  to  do," 
agreed  White  Otter. 

As  the  riders  drew  near,  the  lads  climbed 
to  the  top  of  a  large  aspen  and  concealed 
themselves  in  its  dense  foliage.  A  few  mo- 
ments later  the  horsemen  came  within  bow- 
range  and  stopped  to  talk.  The  Sioux  counted 
them;  there  were  fifteen.  After  a  short  dis- 
cussion the  riders  separated  into  two  parties 
and  cantered  slowly  about  the  grove. 

"They  are  Kiowas,"  whispered  Sun  Bird. 

Having  identified  the  horsemen,  the  Sioux 
felt  sure  that  this  was  the  war  party  which. 

66 


A   LOSS    RETRIEVED 

had  been  sent  to  find  them,  and  their  eyes 
flashed  angrily  at  the  thought.  They  knew 
that  the  warrior  who  had  stolen  their  ponies 
was  in  the  company,  and  they  would  have 
given  much  to  have  been  able  to  recognize 
him.  In  the  mean  time  the  riders  had  sent 
two  scouts  into  the  grove  to  reconnoiter.  A 
hasty  search  convinced  these  warriors  that 
the  place  was  free  from  enemies,  and  they 
went  to  the  edge  of  the  plain  and  called  their 
companions. 

A  short  time  afterward  the  Kiowas  pro- 
ceeded to  make  their  fire  within  bow-length 
of  the  very  tree  in  which  the  lads  had  taken 
refuge.  The  Sioux  were  filled  with  despair. 
This  unexpected  manoeuver  not  only  ruined 
all  chance  of  escape  during  the  night,  but  it 
threatened  the  lads  with  exposure  as  well. 
They  knew  that  if  the  Kiowas  made  a  large 
fire  the  glow  from  the  flames  would  illuminate 
the  top  of  the  tree  and  make  them  con- 
spicuous targets  for  Kiowa  arrows.  There- 
fore, as  the  Sioux  heard  the  first  sharp  crackle 
of  the  igniting  wood,  and  smelled  the  smoke 
ascending  among  the  branches,  they  feared 
that  discovery  was  but  a  matter  of  moments. 

The  Kiowas,  however,  were  content  with  a 


THE   RED  ARROW 

small  fire  before  which  they  broiled  their 
buffalo  steaks,  and  the  lads  were  much  re- 
lieved. They  peered  cautiously  down  through 
the  leaves  and  saw  their  enemies  seated  in 
the  ruddy  glow  from  the  flames.  They  were 
eating  heartily,  and  the  Sioux  believed  that 
they  had  ridden  a  full  day's  journey  from  the 
Kiowa  camp.  The  lads  wondered  whether 
these  warriors  would  resume  their  search  the 
following  day  or  whether  they  would  return 
to  the  village.  The  Kiowas  were  talking 
earnestly,  but,  unfortunately,  the  Sioux  were 
unfamiliar  with  the  dialect.  Then  one  of  the 
warriors  thrust  a  stick  among  the  embers,  and 
a  shower  of  sparks  soared  up  through  the 
leaves  of  the  aspen.  A  dozen  bronzed  faces 
were  upturned  to  watch  them,  and  the  lads 
shrank  back,  fearing  that  they  had  been  dis- 
covered. A  hush  had  fallen  upon  the  little 
company  of  warriors  at  the  base  of  the  tree, 
and  the  Sioux  waited  in  torturing  suspense 
for  a  volley  of  arrows  to  tear  their  way 
through  the  fragile  shield  which  screened 
them  from  their  foes.  The  moments  seemed 
endless  until  the  conversation  was  resumed. 
Then  the  lads  realized  that  they  had  escaped 
detection,  and  their  fears  subsided. 

68 


A  LOSS   RETRIEVED 

"It  is  good;  the  Kiowas  have  eyes  like  a 
very  old  man/'  whispered  White  Otter. 

"Perhaps  their  ears  are  sharper  than  their 
eyes,"  Sun  Bird  cautioned  him. 

The  lads  remained  in  the  tree  throughout 
the  night,  and  at  daylight  they  saw  the 
Kiowas  mount  their  ponies  and  ride  away 
toward  the  west.  The  Sioux  waited  some 
time  after  their  enemies  had  disappeared 
over  a  rise  of  the  plain  before  they  finally 
descended  to  the  ground.  Then  they  left 
the  grove  and  hurried  away  toward  the 
south. 

At  midday  the  lads  saw  smoke  rising  against 
the  sky,  and  they  believed  that  it  came  from 
the  Kiowa  village.  Soon  afterward  they 
crawled  cautiously  to  the  summit  of  a  low 
ridge  and  discovered  the  camp.  It  was 
located  in  the  timber  on  the  bank  of  a  stream. 
Judging  by  the  number  of  lodges,  the  Sioux 
believed  that  the  tribe  was  an  important  one. 
Then  they  transferred  their  interest  to  a  large 
herd  of  horses  which  were  grazing  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  village.  The  lads 
studied  them  with  much  interest,  hoping  to 
recognize  their  own  ponies  among  the  num- 
ber. However,  they  found  it  impossible  to 

69 


THE    RED   ARROW 

distinguish  the  animals  at  the  distance,  and, 
besides,  they  believed  that  the  captured  ponies 
would  be  exhibited  in  the  camp.  As  they 
watched  they  saw  many  people  moving  about 
near  the  lodges,  and  a  number  of  old  women 
far  out  on  the  plain  gathering  herbs.  The 
lads  saw  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  ap- 
proach the  camp  from  where  they  were  with- 
out being  discovered,  and  they  wondered 
how  they  might  locate  the  ponies. 

"We  will  cross  the  stream.  Then  we  will 
hide  in  the  timber  and  watch  the  camp," 
proposed  White  Otter. 

"Yes,  I  believe  it  is  a  good  thing  to  do," 
agreed  Sun  Bird. 

They  made  a  long  detour,  and  crossed  the 
water  far  to  the  east  of  the  Kiowa  camp.  Then 
they  circled,  and  approached  the  village  from 
the  south.  Once  in  sight  of  the  trees  which 
lined  the  stream  the  lads  concealed  them- 
selves to  watch  and  listen.  Then,  as  they 
discovered  nothing  to  arouse  their  fears,  they 
made  their  way  cautiously  toward  the  water. 
They  advanced  until  they  were  opposite  the 
Kiowa  horses,  and  then  they  stopped  to 
reconnoiter.  With  only  the  width  of  the 
stream  between  them  and  the  herd  they  soon 

70 


A   LOSS    RETRIEVED 

convinced  themselves  that  the  Sioux  ponies 
were  not  with  the  other  animals. 

"My  heart  tells  me  that  they  are  in  the 
camp,"  said  White  Otter. 

The  lads  crept  carefully  through  the  bushes 
at  the  edge  of  the  stream  until  they  were  op- 
posite the  Kiowa  camp.  Then  they  heard 
voices  behind  them,  and  they  fitted  arrows 
to  their  bows  and  prepared  to  defend  them- 
selves. A  few  moments  later  two  Kiowa 
hunters  entered  the  stream  less  than  an  arrow- 
flight  below  the  spot  where  the  Sioux  were 
concealed,  and  waded  across  to  the  village. 

"We  must  be  cautious;  perhaps  there  are 
other  hunters  in  the  timber  behind  us,"  said 
Sun  Bird. 

"We  will  watch  until  we  know  about  it," 
replied  White  Otter. 

The  sun  had  set  and  the  day  was  ending. 
The  lads  watched  the  evening  shadows  set- 
tling upon  the  water,  and  their  hearts  filled 
with  gloomy  forebodings.  They  knew  that 
to  successfully  carry  out  their  undertaking 
they  must  locate  the  ponies  before  dark. 
Each  moment,  therefore,  was  precious,  and 
they  realized  that  delay  would  only  make 
their  task  more  difficult.  Still,  they  were  at 


THE    RED   ARROW 

a  loss  to  know  just  what  to  do.  As  they 
were  discussing  the  situation  they  heard  much 
loud  talking  and  the  neighing  of  ponies  in  the 
camp  across  the  water. 

"The  war  party  has  returned  to  the  vil- 
lage/' whispered  White  Otter. 

Sun  Bird  nodded  understandingly. 

A  few  moments  later  they  saw  some  boys 
driving  the  tired  ponies  out  upon  the  plain. 
They  also  saw  many  warriors  passing  among 
the  lodges.  However,  they  were  unable  to 
see  into  the  center  of  the  camp,  and  as  the 
twilight  thickened  the  lads  ventured  from 
their  hiding-place  and  crept  cautiously  to 
the  summit  of  a  brushy  knoll  which  afforded 
them  a  splendid  view  of  the  village.  Then 
they  saw  the  two  Sioux  ponies  tied  before  a 
lodge  near  one  end  of  the  camp. 

The  lads  were  planning  a  way  to  enter  the 
village  and  run  off  the  ponies  under  protec- 
tion of  the  night  when  they  were  dismayed  to 
see  a  tall,  sinewy  warrior  emerge  from  the 
lodge  and  lead  the  ponies  from  the  camp. 
The  manoeuver  threw  the  young  Sioux  into  a 
frenzy  of  despair.  It  was  almost  dark,  and 
they  realized  that  if  the  Kiowa  turned  their 
ponies  into  the  herd  it  would  be  impossible 

72 


A   LOSS    RETRIEVED 

to  recover  them.  They  watched  in  breath- 
less suspense,  and  were  filled  with  wild  de- 
light when  they  saw  the  warrior  picket  his 
prizes  within  bow-shot  of  the  village.  When 
he  returned  to  the  camp  the  eager  lads  crawled 
through  the  undergrowth  until  they  were 
opposite  their  mounts. 

The  Sioux  realized  that  it  would  be  fool- 
hardy to  attempt  to  reach  the  ponies  before 
the  camp  quieted  down  for  the  night.  How- 
ever, as  soon  as  it  became  dark  the  Kiowas 
made  several  large  fires  and  began  to  dance 
and  sing,  and  the  lads  knew  that  they  were 
celebrating  some  important  event.  They  saw 
the  tall  warrior  who  had  taken  charge  of  their 
ponies  making  a  fiery  speech  to  his  people. 
From  his  gestures  and  the  shouts  of  approval 
which  greeted  his  remarks  the  Sioux  believed 
that  he  was  inventing  a  tale  of  thrilling 
heroism  in  connection  with  the  capture  of 
the  Sioux  ponies. 

"He  is  telling  his  people  about  a  terrible 
fight  with  the  Sioux, "  White  Otter  said, 
scornfully. 

"His  mouth  is  braver  than  his  heart,"  de- 
clared Sun  Bird. 

The  night  was  far  gone  when  the  Kiowas 
73 


THE    RED   ARROW 

finally  retired  to  their  lodges.  Then  the 
Sioux  heard  the  dogs  prowling  about  the 
camp  in  search  of  food.  The  surly,  half- 
starved  beasts  soon  began  to  fight  among 
themselves,  and,  as  the  turmoil  increased,  an 
old  woman  rushed  from  one  of  the  lodges  and 
drove  them  from  the  village. 

"It  is  bad,"  said  White  Otter.  "When  we 
go  over  there  they  will  tell  the  Kiowas  that 
we  are  near  the  camp." 

"No;  when  they  make  a  great  noise  the 
people  will  say,  'The  dogs  are  fighting  over 
the  bones/  Then  they  will  not  come  out  to 
look  for  us,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

When  the  fires  had  burned  to  embers  and 
the  camp  was  hushed  in  slumber  the  Sioux 
crept  stealthily  to  the  edge  of  the  stream. 
They  stopped  a  moment  to  listen,  and  then, 
as  all  was  still,  they  waded  carefully  into  the 
water.  Realizing  that  the  slightest  sound 
might  betray  them  to  the  dogs,  the  lads 
moved  with  great  caution.  As  the  bed  of  the 
stream  was  covered  with  small  round  stones, 
the  Sioux  were  compelled  to  feel  their  way 
with  much  care.  When  they  were  half-way 
across  they  again  stopped  to  listen.  How- 
ever, they  heard  nothing  but  the  sleepy  mur- 

74 


A   LOSS    RETRIEVED 

murs  of  the  water,  and,  reassured  by  the 
stillness,  they  continued  boldly  to  the  oppo- 
site shore. 

Once  across  the  stream,  the  lads  hurried 
toward  the  ponies.  Keenly  alert  to  their 
peril,  they  moved  through  the  dark  as  noise- 
lessly as  shadows.  The  prize  was  almost 
within  reach,  and  the  thought  set  their 
hearts  beating  wildly.  Still,  they  realized 
that  each  moment  might  bring  discovery  and 
death,  and  the  possibility  made  them  cau- 
tious. As  they  neared  the  ponies  they  drew 
their  knives  and  advanced  with  every  muscle 
set  for  instant  action.  They  strained  their 
eyes  in  an  effort  to  pierce  the  dark,  and  at 
last  they  saw  the  ponies  lying  down  a  short 
distance  ahead  of  them.  As  the  lads  ap- 
proached, the  suspicious  animals  rose  to  their 
feet  and  snorted  nervously.  A  few  swift 
strides  brought  the  Sioux  beside  them.  They 
severed  the  rawhide  lariats  which  bound  the 
animals  to  the  picket  stakes,  and  then  they 
mounted  and  rode  slowly  away.  Once  be- 
yond ear-shot  of  the  camp,  they  urged  the 
ponies  into  a  gallop.  They  crossed  the  stream 
far  out  on  the  plain,  and  raced  away  in 
triumph. 

75 


THE   RED  ARROW 

"That  brave  warrior  can  tell  his  people 
another  story  about  the  Sioux, "  laughed 
White  Otter. 

"It  is  good/'  replied  Sun  Bird. 

Having  made  their  escape,  the  lads  had 
little  fear  of  being  overtaken.  They  knew 
that  the  Kiowa  would  not  discover  his  loss 
until  daylight,  and  by  that  time  the  Sioux 
hoped  to  be  far  from  the  camp.  Besides,  the 
plain  was  hard  and  sun-baked,  and  they  be- 
lieved that  their  enemies  would  find  it  im- 
possible to  follow  them.  After  the  first  wild 
sprint,  therefore,  they  slackened  the  speed 
of  their  ponies  and  rode  through  the  night  in 
high  spirits. 


VI 

CAPTURED 

THE  following  day  the  Sioux  again  came 
in  sight  of  the  foot-hills,  but  as  they 
still  feared  the  Crows  they  kept  to  the  open 
plain  to  avoid  an  ambush.  Having  exhausted 
their  supply  of  meat,  they  began  to  look  for 
game.  For  a  long  time  they  searched  in  vain. 
Then  White  Otter  discovered  several  coyotes 
jumping  about  an  animal  at  bay. 

"See,  the  wolves  have  caught  something 
for  us/'  he  told  Sun  Bird. 

The  coyotes  dragged  their  victim  to  the 
ground,  and  then,  as  the  lads  approached,  the 
wolves  fled  across  the  plain.  When  the  Sioux 
came  closer  a  splendid  black-tail  buck  strug- 
gled helplessly  to  rise.  They  saw  that  it  had 
been  pierced  by  several  arrows.  After  kill- 
ing it  the  lads  cut  the  arrows  from  its  body 
and  examined  them  with  much  interest. 
They  differed  from  their  own  in  both  pattern 

77 


THE    RED   ARROW 

and  workmanship,  and  were  similar  to  the 
one  which  White  Otter  had  cut  from  his 
shoulder. 

''They  are  Crow  arrows/'  said  White 
Otter. 

"It  is  bad,"  replied  Sun  Bird,  glancing  un- 
easily across  the  plain. 

They  knew  that  the  buck  had  escaped  from 
the  foot-hills,  and  as  its  wounds  were  fresh 
the  lads  feared  that  their  enemies  were  con- 
cealed in  the  timber.  They  watched  the  low 
wooded  slopes  a  long  time,  but  saw  nothing 
to  confirm  their  suspicions.  However,  they 
determined  to  take  no  chances,  and  Sun  Bird 
kept  guard  while  White  Otter  proceeded  to 
skin  and  quarter  the  buck.  Before  the  task 
was  finished  Sun  Bird  called  him. 

"We  have  been  discovered, "  he  said  as 
White  Otter  joined  him. 

From  the  foot-hills  to  the  west  a  straight 
column  of  black  smoke  rose  against  the  sky. 
They  knew  that  it  was  a  signal,  and  they 
feared  that  they  were  trapped  between  two 
war  parties.  Then  they  saw  another  smoke 
signal  rising  above  a  wooded  ridge  to  the  east. 

"The  Crows  have  separated;  we  are  in 
great  danger/'  said  White  Otter, 


CAPTURED 

"Yes;  we  must  be  very  cautious,"  replied 
Sun  Bird. 

The  smoke  columns  began  to  twist  and 
break,  and  the  lads  knew  that  a  message  was 
being  sent  across  the  plain.  They  would 
have  given  much  to  be  able  to  read  it,  for 
they  believed  it  concerned  themselves.  They 
watched  anxiously  until  the  signals  finally 
ended  in  spasmodic  puffs  of  black  smoke. 

The  Sioux  were  troubled.  They  believed 
that  their  enemies  had  set  some  clever  trap, 
and  they  feared  it  would  be  difficult  to  escape. 
The  plain  was  bare  and  shelterless,  and  they 
realized  the  folly  of  attempting  to  hide. 
They  decided  to  continue  boldly  on  their 
way  in  the  hope  of  eventually  stealing  away 
under  cover  of  the  night.  Therefore,  when 
White  Otter  finally  finished  his  task  they  rode 
slowly  away,  watching  the  foot-hills  for  a 
sight  of  their  foes.  As  the  Crows  failed  to 
show  themselves,  the  lads  believed  that  they 
were  riding  cautiously  through  the  timber. 
They  hoped  to  fool  them  by  feigning  a  care- 
less indifference.  At  the  end  of  the  day, 
therefore,  they  stopped  at  a  small  spring  and 
made  elaborate  preparations  for  spending  the 
night.  Believing  that  they  were  being  closely 

79 


THE    RED   ARROW 

watched,  they  picketed  the  ponies  where  the 
Crows  would  be  sure  to  see  them,  and  made 
their  fire  in  the  open. 

"The  Crows  will  laugh  at  our  foolishness/' 
said  White  Otter. 

"It  is  good;  they  will  learn  that  the  Sioux 
are  wise/1  replied  Sun  Bird. 

When  it  was  dark  the  lads  began  a  cautious 
retreat.  They  had  not  gone  an  arrow-flight, 
however,  before  they  heard  the  lonely  wail 
of  a  coyote  a  short  distance  in  front  of  them. 
They  stopped  and  looked  at  each  other  in 
alarm.  In  a  few  moments  the  cry  was  re- 
peated, and  they  felt  sure  it  was  a  signal. 
Then,  farther  to  the  east,  they  heard  an  answer. 
Their  courage  weakened.  They  believed  that 
the  wily  Crows  had  guessed  their  plan. 

"We  are  surrounded, "  said  Sun  Bird. 

As  though  to  verify  his  words,  a  third 
signal  sounded  behind  them.  The  Crows 
had  found  the  camp-fire.  The  lads  wondered 
if  the  west  was  still  unguarded.  They  rode 
cautiously  in  that  direction.  Then  they 
heard  the  wolf  call  directly  ahead  of  them,  and 
they  stopped  in  dismay. 

"We  have  been  trapped, "  White  Otter  de- 
clared, savagely. 

80 


CAPTURED 

Their  first  impulse  was  to  make  a  reckless 
dash  for  liberty,  but  a  moment's  reflection 
showed  them  the  folly  of  such  a  manceuver. 
They  believed  that  their  enemies  were  closing 
in  from  all  sides,  and  they  knew  that  their 
only  chance  was  to  slip  noiselessly  past  them 
in  the  dark.  Fearing  that  their  ponies  might 
betray  them,  they  muzzled  them  with  buck- 
skin. Then  they  rode  slowly  forward,  at 
each  stride  expecting  to  find  themselves  face 
to  face  with  their  foes.  The  signals  had 
ceased,  and  the  lads  knew  that  the  Crows 
were  close  upon  them.  They  stopped  to 
listen.  The  plain  was  silent.  Realizing  that 
a  moment's  delay  might  prove  fatal,  they 
continued  to  advance. 

"Listen!"  whispered  White  Otter. 

They  heard  subdued  voices;  the  speakers 
were  within  bow-shot.  Believing  that  they 
would  surely  be  discovered,  the  lads  pre- 
pared to  fight.  The  Crows  subsided  into 
silence,  however,  and  the  Sioux  wondered 
whether  they  had  passed.  Then  a  more 
alarming  possibility  suggested  itself.  Per- 
haps their  foes  were  stealing  upon  them  under 
cover  of  the  dark.  Alarmed  by  the  thought, 
the  lads  peered  anxiously  into  the  night.  A 

6  81 


THE    RED   ARROW 

few  moments  later  they  heard  the  sound  of 
hoofs,  and  as  their  ponies  raised  their  heads 
the  Sioux  struck  them  between  the  ears  to 
prevent  them  from  calling.  The  riders  passed 
so  near  that  for  a  moment  the  lads  feared 
they  had  been  seen.  The  horsemen  con- 
tinued on  their  way,  however,  and  the  Sioux 
realized  that  they  had  escaped  detection. 
They  waited  until  the  Crows  had  passed 
from  hearing,  and  then  they  continued  their 
stealthy  retreat. 

The  lads  believed  that  they  had  slipped 
through  the  circle  of  riders.  The  thought 
gave  them  courage,  and  each  stride  forward 
strengthened  their  confidence.  Again  they 
had  outwitted  their  enemies,  and  their  hearts 
filled  with  pride.  Then  they  heard  a  sudden 
outburst  of  yells,  and  they  knew  that  their 
escape  had  been  discovered. 

" We  are  free,"  cried  White  Otter,  as  he 
lashed  the  piebald  into  a  gallop. 

"We  shall  be  followed,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 
"We  must  ride  fast." 

The  noise  suddenly  ceased,  and  they  knew 
that  the  Crows  were  racing  after  them  in 
grim  silence.  They  had  little  fear  of  being 
caught,  however,  for  they  knew  that  their 

82 


CAPTURED 

pursuers  were  at  a  loss  to  know  which  way 
they  had  gone. 

"They  will  look  for  us  in  the  foot-hills, " 
said  White  Otter. 

"It  is  good;  we  will  keep  to  the  plain," 
replied  Sun  Bird. 

They  saw  nothing  more  of  their  enemies 
until  long  after  sunrise.  Then  as  they  stopped 
to  rest  the  ponies,  they  saw  smoke  rising 
against  the  eastern  sky.  The  plain  had 
widened,  and  the  foot-hills  were  far  away,  and 
the  Sioux  felt  little  anxiety.  They  doubted 
that  their  foes  could  see  them  at  the  distance, 
and,  even  if  they  could,  it  would  be  impossible 
to  approach  without  being  seen.  As  the 
smoke  finally  faded  out  and  there  was  no 
answer  the  lads  believed  that  the  main  body 
of  their  pursuers  had  abandoned  the  chase. 
Quite  exhausted  by  two  nights  of  peril,  they 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunity, and  one  slept  while  the  other  watched. 
They  loitered  until  the  sun  was  low  in  the 
western  sky,  and  then,  thoroughly  refreshed, 
they  mounted  their  ponies  and  rode  away. 

That  night  they  camped  on  the  open  plain. 
They  made  a  tiny  fire  between  two  large 
boulders  and  sat  beside  it  to  talk  of  the 


THE   RED   ARROW 

events  through  which  they  had  passed.  They 
were  enthusiastic  over  their  success,  and  they 
hoped  to  be  equally  fortunate  against  the 
Pawnees.  The  lads  talked  until  the  fire 
began  to  burn  low,  and  then  Sun  Bird  rose 
to  look  for  fuel.  Taking  his  weapons,  he 
disappeared  into  the  dark,  and  White  Otter 
stretched  himself  by  the  glowing  embers  to 
await  his  return. 

Sun  Bird  had  not  gone  twenty  paces  when 
he  was  suddenly  struck  down  from  behind. 
When  he  recovered  consciousness  he  found 
himself  upon  his  back  with  his  arms  tightly 
bound  behind  him  and  a  rude  buckskin  gag 
in  his  mouth.  A  warrior  knelt  and  peered 
fiercely  into  the  lad's  face,  and  Sun  Bird 
recognized  him  as  a  Crow.  A  few  moments 
later  his  captors  removed  the  gag  and 
pulled  him  to  his  feet.  Then  they  led  him 
to  the  fire. 

Sun  Bird  saw  White  Otter,  with  his  arms 
bound  behind  him,  standing  in  the  center  of 
a  group  of  Crows.  His  eyes  met  those  of  his 
friend,  and  there  was  a  warning  in  the  glance. 
He  believed  that  for  some  reason  White 
Otter  wished  him  to  remain  silent.  The 
Crows  crowded  about  their  youthful  prison- 

84 


CAPTURED 

ers,  jeering  and  trying  to  intimidate  them. 
The  young  Sioux  were  no  cowards,  however, 
and  they  treated  the  threats  with  scorn, 
and  looked  their  enemies  fearlessly  in  the 
eyes. 

Then  a  tall,  broad-shouldered  warrior, 
whom  the  lads  instantly  recognized  as  the 
chief  who  had  addressed  them  at  the  pass, 
pushed  his  way  through  the  circle  and  con- 
fronted them.  For  several  moments  he  stared 
at  them  in  silence,  and  they  saw  the  light  of 
triumph  shining  in  his  eyes.  Then  he  began 
to  taunt  them.  The  lads  remained  silent, 
however,  and  when  he  found  his  stinging 
sarcasm  of  no  avail  he  turned  away  and  left 
them  to  the  care  of  several  evil-looking  guards. 

A  few  moments  later  the  Crows  seated 
themselves  about  the  camp-fire  and  pro- 
ceeded to  hold  a  council.  The  Sioux  watched 
them  anxiously,  for  they  feared  that  their 
lives  depended  upon  the  verdict.  They  had 
little  doubt  that  most  of  the  company  were 
in  favor  of  killing  them  at  once.  Their  one 
hope  was  the  chief.  He  was  talking  excit- 
edly in  the  Crow  dialect,  and  they  were  un- 
able to  tell  whether  he  spoke  for  or  against 
them.  They  believed,  however,  that  he 

85 


THE    RED   ARROW 

would  endeavor  to  take  them  to  the  Crow 
village  to  prove  his  ability  as  a  war  leader. 
The  lads  glanced  searchingly  at  the  four 
warriors  who  guarded  them.  They  wondered 
whether  they  understood  the  Sioux  tongue. 
White  Otter  planned  to  test  them.  He 
spoke  to  Sun  Bird. 

"See,  the  men  who  guard  us  have  lost 
their  knives/'  he  said,  craftily. 

Three  of  the  Crows  only  turned  their  heads 
and  glared  threateningly  because  he  had 
spoken;  the  fourth  warrior  swept  his  hand 
to  his  knife-sheath.  The  trick  had  been  suc- 
cessful, and  White  Otter  had  learned  what 
he  wished  to  know.  Aware  that  one  of  their 
guards  understood  the  Sioux  dialect,  the  lads 
determined  to  remain  silent.  The  warrior 
whom  they  had  duped  watched  them  closely 
for  several  moments,  but  their  indifference 
allayed  his  suspicions  and  he  believed  that 
he  had  misinterpreted  their  words. 

When  the  Crows  finally  ended  their  talk 
and  the  chief  rose  and  walked  toward  them 
the  lads  knew  that  their  fate  had  been  de- 
cided. All  eyes  were  turned  upon  them,  and 
they  waited  with  well-feigned  indifference, 
for  they  were  determined  to  uphold  the  tra- 

86 


CAPTURED 

ditions  of  their  tribe.  Spotted  Dog  spoke  a 
few  words  to  their  guards  and  then  turned 
away.  The  warriors  were  spreading  their 
robes  upon  the  plain.  The  lads*  hearts 
filled  with  hope,  for  it  was  evident  that  they 
were  to  be  spared  until  they  reached  the 
Crow  camp. 

The  Sioux  passed  a  restless  night,  for  their 
captors  had  twisted  their  arms  awkwardly 
behind  them  and  had  tightened  the  rawhide 
thongs  about  their  ankles  until  their  legs 
became  stiff  and  numb.  Each  moment  in- 
creased their  misery.  They  were  unable  to 
comfort  each  other,  for  two  alert  guards  slept 
between  them.  Several  times  these  warriors 
rose  on  their  elbows  and  peered  into  their 
faces.  Then  the  lads  closed  their  eyes  and 
pretended  to  be  asleep. 

At  dawn  the  Crows  freed  them  from  their 
bonds  and  ordered  them  to  rise.  They  at- 
tempted to  obey,  but  their  cramped  legs 
collapsed  beneath  them.  Their  captors 
laughed  boisterously,  and  the  Sioux  strug- 
gled heroically  to  their  feet.  They  suffered 
intensely,  but  they  concealed  their  agony, 
and  walked  to  the  fire  with  the  stolid  sto- 
icism of  hardened  veterans. 


THE    RED   ARROW 

The  horses  were  brought  in,  and  the  Sioux 
were  mounted  on  their  own  ponies.  Then, 
to  their  dismay,  they  saw  that  the  Crows 
intended  to  separate.  They  realized  that 
the  warriors  belonged  to  different  villages, 
and  they  feared  they  were  to  be  parted.  The 
thought  filled  them  with  despair,  for  they 
had  doubts  of  ever  meeting  again.  They 
believed  that  death  awaited  them  at  the  end 
of  the  journey,  and  they  realized  that  each 
of  them  must  face  it  alone.  For  a  moment 
their  eyes  met,  and  each  found  encourage- 
ment in  the  glance.  Then  the  Crows  divided 
into  two  parties  and  the  lads  bade  each  other 
farewell.  The  riders  who  went  toward  the 
east  took  White  Otter,  and  Spotted  Dog  and 
his  warriors  carried  Sun  Bird  into  the  north. 


VII 

IN  THE  CROW  CAMP 

ATER  two  days  of  hard  travel  White 
Otter  and  his  captors  entered  the  Crow 
village.  The  people  crowded  eagerly  about 
them  to  see  the  prisoner.  When  they  rec- 
ognized him  as  a  Sioux  they  began  to  taunt 
and  threaten  him.  Then  the  leader  of  the 
war  party  ordered  the  lad  to  dismount.  As 
he  slid  to  the  ground  several  boys  ran  forward 
and  counted  coup  upon  him  by  striking  him 
with  their  hands.  He  was  jeered  and  laughed 
at  by  the  old  women,  and  one  old  squaw 
began  to  beat  him  with  a  stick.  Then  a  tall 
warrior  pushed  through  the  circle  and  or- 
dered the  people  to  stand  back.  White  Otter 
saw  at  once  that  this  man  was  a  person  of 
authority,  and  he  believed  that  he  was  the 
head  chief  of  the  village.  He  looked  search- 
ingly  into  the  lad's  face,  and  then  he  turned 
to  the  leader  of  the  war  party.  The  latter 

89 


THE    RED   ARROW 

spoke  to  his  warriors,  and  two  of  them 
stepped  forward  and  led  White  Otter  away. 

He  was  escorted  to  a  lodge  near  the  center 
of  the  camp.  It  was  unoccupied,  and  when 
he  had  entered  his  guards  threw  him  to  the 
ground  and  bound  him.  Then  they  withdrew. 

Left  to  himself,  White  Otter  began  to 
speculate  upon  his  chances.  He  believed 
that  death  was  inevitable,  but  he  found  it 
hard  to  become  reconciled.  Still,  he  could 
think  of  no  way  to  escape.  He  struggled  to 
loosen  the  thongs  about  his  hands  and  feet, 
but  a  few  moments  of  exertion  convinced 
him  that  his  efforts  were  vain.  His  situation 
appeared  hopeless.  He  realized  that  at  any 
moment  he  might  be  called  out  to  meet  his 
doom.  He  heard  some  one  talking  in  a  loud 
tone,  and  he  believed  it  was  the  leader  of  the 
war  party.  The  day  was  almost  at  an  end, 
and  the  lad  wondered  whether  they  would 
spare  him  until  the  morrow.  The  question 
brought  Sun  Bird  into  his  mind.  His  heart 
filled  with  dread  at  thought  of  him.  He 
feared  that  he  had  already  paid  the  penalty. 
Then  his  gloom  was  lighted  by  a  ray  of  hope. 
Perhaps  Sun  Bird  had  escaped!  His  heart 
leaped  at  the  possibility.  White  Otter  knew, 

90 


IN   THE   CROW   CAMP 

if  his  friend  was  free,  that  he  would  endeavor 
to  find  him.  However,  the  hope  was  too 
forlorn  to  build  upon,  and  he  banished  it 
from  his  mind. 

Then  a  warrior  entered  the  lodge.  Behind 
him  came  an  old  squaw  with  meat.  The 
Crow  freed  the  lad's  hands  and  sat  beside 
him.  The  squaw  gave  him  the  meat  and 
went  out.  When  White  Otter  had  finished 
eating  she  returned  with  water  in  a  buffalo- 
hide  receptacle.  He  drank  heartily.  Then 
the  Crow  bound  his  hands  and  followed  the 
old  woman  from  the  lodge. 

After  they  had  gone  White  Otter  reflected 
upon  their  visit.  It  had  strengthened  his 
hope,  for  he  believed  if  he  were  to  be  killed 
that  night  that  the  Crows  would  not  have 
sent  food  and  drink  to  him.  The  thought 
was  particularly  reassuring  just  at  the  mo- 
ment, for  daylight  was  fading  and  the  lodge 
was  already  dark.  He  heard  the  people 
breaking  sticks,  and  then  he  saw  the  fire- 
light flickering  on  the  walls  of  the  lodge.  It 
filled  him  with  a  vague  premonition  of  dan- 
ger. As  the  glow  grew  brighter  White  Otter 
believed  that  the  Crows  were  preparing  for  a 
ceremony.  He  wondered  if  he  would  have  a 

91 


THE   RED  ARROW 

part  in  it.  The  thought  tested  his  courage. 
He  had  heard  old  Yellow  Horse,  the  Sioux 
medicine-man,  tell  harrowing  tales  of  the 
tortures  which  these  people  had  inflicted 
upon  him,  and  White  Otter  feared  that  he, 
too,  was  about  to  pass  through  the  experi- 
ence. Then  he  heard  the  monotonous  beat 
of  a  war-drum.  It  was  the  summons  to 
assemble.  His  heart  pounded  wildly.  The 
Crows  were  shouting  and  laughing.  He  won- 
dered if  they  were  gathering  to  witness  his 
death.  Then  the  din  ceased  and  the  lad 
listened  apprehensively.  Some  one  was  mak- 
ing a  speech.  When  the  speaker  finished  the 
Crows  raised  a  shout  which  sent  a  shudder 
through  the  youthful  prisoner.  He  believed 
that  his  end  was  near.  The  thought  un- 
nerved him  and  he  struggled  furiously  against 
his  bonds.  The  effort  was  useless.  As  he 
realized  his  helplessness  his  courage  returned, 
and  he  waited  calmly,  for  he  was  determined 
to  die  like  a  man. 

The  lad's  suspense  was  soon  ended,  for  two 
warriors  entered  the  lodge  and  removed  the 
thongs  from  his  ankles.  They  drew  him  to  his 
feet  and  took  him  outside.  His  appearance 
was  the  signal  for  a  new  outburst  of  yells. 

92 


IN   THE   CROW   CAMP 

The  Crows  had  worked  themselves  into  a 
frenzy,  and  White  Otter  saw  that  he  could 
expect  no  mercy.  His  guards  hurried  him 
toward  the  fire  and  bound  him  to  a  stake 
which  had  been  driven  into  the  ground  a 
short  distance  from  the  flames.  The  war- 
riors formed  a  circle  around  him.  Then  the 
leader  of  the  war  party  came  forward  with 
the  man  whom  White  Otter  took  to  be  the 
head  chief  of  the  village. 

"Mountain  Bear,  the  great  Crow  war- 
chief,  does  not  speak  your  tongue,  and  I  will 
tell  you  what  he  says,"  said  the  younger 
man.  "He  says  that  the  Sioux  declare  them- 
selves brave.  He  says  that  you  are  a  Sioux. 
He  says  if  you  are  brave  he  will  believe  the 
Sioux  words.  I  have  spoken  the  words  of 
Mountain  Bear." 

For  a  moment  White  Otter  regarded  him 
in  silence.  Then,  as  the  Crow  war -chief 
seemed  to  expect  an  answer,  the  lad  made 
reply. 

"I  have  listened  to  the  words  of  Mountain 
Bear.  It  is  good  that  he  has  come  to  a  Sioux 
to  learn  how  to  be  brave,"  he  said,  sarcas- 
tically. 

The  leader  of  the  war  party  translated  the 
93 


THE    RED   ARROW 

words  to  his  chief.  Mountain  Bear  smiled 
contemptuously,  and  then  he  turned  to  ad- 
dress his  warriors.  His  words  seemed  to 
rouse  them  to  a  fury,  and  at  the  conclusion  of 
his  harangue  they  began  to  shout  and  dance 
wildly  about  the  captive.  As  they  passed 
the  stake  each  dancer  struck  the  Sioux  with 
his  open  hand.  The  lad  gave  no  indication 
that  he  felt  the  blows.  Then  they  drew  their 
knives.  They  pretended  they  were  about  to 
drive  them  into  his  heart,  and  made  violent 
passes  within  a  few  inches  of  his  head.  Then 
two  warriors  stood  before  him  and  fitted 
arrows  to  their  bows.  They  aimed  at  his 
breast,  and  White  Otter  smiled  scornfully. 
As  they  released  the  bowstrings,  however, 
they  twisted  their  wrists,  and  the  arrows 
sped  past  on  each  side  of  him.  Then  a 
diabolical-looking  old  squaw  came  toward 
him  with  a  brand  from  the  fire.  She  held  it 
close  to  his  eyes,  but  White  Otter  laughed 
at  her.  This  enraged  her,  and  she  would 
have  thrust  the  fire  into  his  face  had  not  the 
chief  snatched  the  stick  from  her  grasp  and 
pushed  her  from  the  circle. 

At  last  Mountain  Bear  spoke  to  the  leader 
pf  the  war  party,  and  the  latter  again  ap- 

94 


IN   THE    CROW   CAMP 

preached  the  prisoner.  He  stopped  a  pace 
in  front  of  him  and  drew  his  knife.  White 
Otter  looked  fearlessly  into  his  eyes.  He 
wondered  if  the  Crow  had  been  commissioned 
to  kill  him.  A  moment  later  the  warrior 
stooped  and  cut  the  thongs  which  bound  the 
lad  to  the  stake.  Then  he  led  him  back  to 
the  lodge. 

White  Otter  was  amazed  at  his  unexpected 
deliverance.  He  had  expected  to  be  killed, 
and  he  could  scarcely  realize  that  he  had  sur- 
vived the  experience  unharmed.  He  won- 
dered whether  Sun  Bird  had  been  as  fortu- 
nate. The  lad  still  believed  that  the  Crows 
intended  to  kill  him,  and  he  was  at  a  loss  to 
understand  why  they  had  delayed  his  execu- 
tion. He  was  too  overjoyed  at  his  escape, 
however,  to  waste  time  trying  to  solve  the 
riddle.  He  realized  that  he  must  spend  the 
time  he  had  gained  endeavoring  to  form  a 
plan  for  escape.  Once  free  from  his  bonds, 
he  believed  that  it  would  be  an  easy  task 
to  slip  from  the  Crow  camp.  But  he  had 
been  skilfully  bound,  and  his  efforts  to  free 
himself  were  futile.  At  last,  thoroughly  fa- 
tigued in  brain  and  body,  the  discouraged 
lad  fell  asleep. 

95 


THE    RED   ARROW 

He  awakened  with  a  start.  Then  he 
raised  his  head  and  listened  anxiously.  Some- 
thing was  moving  stealthily  around  the 
lodge.  White  Otter  instantly  became  sus- 
picious. He  believed  that  some  one  was  try- 
ing to  find  a  way  into  his  prison.  That  the 
prowler  wished  to  avoid  detection  was  evi- 
dent. Perhaps  Sun  Bird  had  escaped  and 
had  trailed  him  to  the  Crow  camp.  That 
was  the  first  thought  which  flashed  through 
his  mind.  He  waited  for  a  signal  which 
would  tell  him  that  his  hope  was  true.  Then 
the  sound  ceased,  and  White  Otter  wondered 
whether  the  unknown  visitor  had  entered  the 
lodge.  He  peered  intently  into  the  dark,  but 
saw  nothing.  Then  he  again  heard  the  noise. 
He  told  himself  that  if  it  were  Sun  Bird  he 
would  already  have  advised  him  of  his  pres- 
ence. Then  a  more  startling  possibility  en- 
tered his  mind.  Perhaps  one  of  the  war 
party  had  determined  to  wreak  a  personal 
vengeance  upon  him.  The  idea  was  alarm- 
ing, for  White  Otter  realized  that  he  was 
powerless  to  defend  himself.  He  might  es- 
cape by  calling  out,  but  he  preferred  to  die 
rather  than  ask  aid  from  his  captors.  He 
waited  calmly  for  his  enemy  to  appear.  The 

96 


IN   THE    CROW    CAMP 

sounds  were  now  at  the  back  of  the  lodge.  A 
few  moments  later  he  heard  the  mysterious 
visitor  crawl  beneath  the  lodge-cover.  White 
Otter  struggled  to  a  sitting  posture.  He 
strained  his  eyes  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
intruder.  Something  was  moving  along  close 
to  the  ground.  He  believed  that  whoever 
had  entered  was  creeping  forward  to  kill  him 
with  one  blow.  For  a  brief  moment  he  was 
tempted  to  make  an  outcry,  but  his  pride 
stifled  the  impulse.  Then,  as  he  identified 
the  intruder,  he  started  in  surprise.  The  next 
instant  he  broke  into  a  nervous  laugh — his 
visitor  was  a  dog.  When  it  saw  him  it  drew 
its  tail  between  its  legs  and  slunk  through 
the  door  of  the  lodge. 

White  Otter  remained  awake  through  the 
balance  of  the  night.  Soon  after  dawn  the 
robe  over  the  entrance  of  the  lodge  was 
drawn  aside  and  the  leader  of  the  war  party 
entered.  Behind  him  followed  the  old  squaw 
with  meat  and  water. 

"  What  the  dogs  will  not  eat  we  give  to  the 
Sioux,'*  the  Crow  said,  contemptuously. 

White  Otter  allowed  the  insult  to  pass  un- 
answered, for  he  knew  that  it  might  prove 
fatal  to  further  antagonize  his  foes.  His 

7  97 


THE    RED   ARROW 

arms  were  stiff  and  numb,  and  it  was  some 
time  before  he  could  raise  his  hands  to  his 
mouth.  The  Crow  watched  him  closely, 
evidently  aware  that  each  movement  in- 
creased his  agony.  The  courageous  lad  gave 
no  outward  sign  of  his  suffering,  and  when  he 
had  finished  eating  he  crossed  his  wrists  be- 
hind his  back  and  waited  for  the  warrior  to 
bind  him.  The  Crow  performed  the  task 
with  much  severity.  He  tightened  the  thongs 
until  the  rawhide  cut  into  the  flesh,  but  the 
lad  bore  it  unflinchingly.  When  he  had 
finished  the  warrior  rose  and  looked  upon  his 
victim.  The  Sioux  met  his  gaze  with  fear- 
less eyes,  and  the  Crow  laughed  and  passed 
out. 

At  midday  he  returned  with  Mountain 
Bear.  As  the  lad  saw  them  enter  the  lodge 
his  heart  filled  with  dismay.  He  believed 
that  he  was  to  be  subjected  to  another  trying 
ordeal.  The  Crows  approached  in  silence 
and  the  leader  of  the  war  party  knelt  and 
freed  the  prisoner  from  his  bonds.  Then 
Mountain  Bear  motioned  for  him  to  rise. 
White  Otter  made  several  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts to  obey,  but  his  legs  seemed  to  have 
left  his  body.  He  looked  at  them  in  sur- 

98 


IN   THE    CROW   CAMP 

prise.  Then  the  blood  began  to  flow  through 
the  congested  veins  and  the  pain  became 
intense.  The  Crows  were  watching  him  and 
he  attempted  to  conceal  his  suffering.  At 
last  he  got  to  his  feet.  For  an  instant  a  wild 
hope  filled  his  heart.  Perhaps  they  intended 
to  give  him  his  freedom.  Mountain  Bear 
went  to  the  door  of  the  lodge  and  beckoned 
to  White  Otter.  The  other  warrior  walked 
close  behind  him. 

The  lad  was  escorted  to  the  center  of  the 
village.  He  saw  the  entire  tribe  assembled 
before  the  lodge  of  the  chief.  The  silence 
aroused  his  suspicions.  Several  old  women 
came  forward  to  threaten  him,  but  Mountain 
Bear  drove  them  away.  Then  the  chief 
made  a  speech.  White  Otter  would  have 
given  much  to  know  what  he  said.  When  he 
finished,  some  of  the  older  warriors  talked. 
The  Sioux  improved  the  opportunity  to 
study  the  camp.  He  located  the  horse-corral, 
and  his  eyes  flashed  as  he  saw  the  piebald 
in  the  inclosure.  Then  his  attention  was 
diverted,  for  the  leader  of  the  war  party  was 
addressing  the  council.  White  Otter  watched 
him  with  much  anxiety.  He  believed  that 
his  words  would  have  great  influence  upon 

99 


THE   RED   ARROW 

his  audience.  The  harangue  was  a  fiery  one, 
and  White  Otter  felt  sure  the  speaker  was 
narrating  the  details  of  the  desperate  fight 
at  the  pass.  He  feared  that  the  Crow  was 
inciting  his  comrades  to  vengeance.  At  the 
conclusion  of  his  speech  the  old  woman  who 
had  thrust  the  fire  in  the  lad's  face  entered 
the  circle.  She  pointed  at  the  young  Sioux, 
and  launched  forth  into  an  excited  tirade. 
From  the  attention  she  received  White  Otter 
believed  that  she  was  a  medicine- woman. 
He  knew  that  these  women  had  great  in- 
fluence, and  he  feared  the  effect  of  her  words. 
When  she  finally  exhausted  herself  the  war- 
riors began  to  talk  excitedly  among  them- 
selves. At  last  they  seemed  to  reach  an 
agreement,  and  one  of  them  rose  and  ad- 
dressed the  chief.  Then  Mountain  Bear 
spoke  to  his  interpreter,  and  the  latter  trans- 
lated the  words  to  the  prisoner. 

"The  Crows  say  that  you  must  die,"  he 
said.  "Wild  Crane,  the  Crow  medicine- 
woman,  says  that  the  Sioux  killed  her  son, 
Yellow  Calf,  and  she  cries  for  vengeance. 
It  is  good;  the  Sioux  are  our  enemies.  I 
have  spoken  the  words  of  the  great  chief, 
Mountain  Bear." 

100 


IN   THE    CROW    CAMP 

White  Otter  laughed  scornfully.  He  swept 
his  eyes  over  the  men  in  the  council  circle, 
and  then  he  fastened  his  gaze  upon  the  Crow 
chief. 

"Tell  the  great  chief  that  I  have  listened 
to  his  words.  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,"  he 
said,  proudly.  "Tell  him  that  it  is  good  that 
the  Crows  are  led  by  an  old  woman.  Tell 
him  that  White  Otter,  the  Sioux,  laughs  at 
him.  I  have  finished." 

When  his  words  were  interpreted  Mountain 
Bear  rushed  at  him  and  struck  him  to  the 
ground.  Then  the  leader  of  the  war  party 
bound  his  arms  and  hurried  him  to  the  lodge. 

White  Otter  realized  that  he  had  sealed  his 
fate.  He  knew  that  before  the  night  passed 
he  would  be  called  out  to  pay  the  penalty  for 
his  insults  to  the  Crows  and  their  chief. 
After  the  warrior  left  him  he  made  many 
futile  attempts  to  loosen  the  thongs  which 
bound  his  wrists.  Then  he  thought  of  a  way 
to  escape  the  tortures  which  he  felt  sure 
would  be  inflicted  upon  him.  He  knew  that 
the  Crows  would  free  his  feet  to  lead  him  from 
the  lodge,  and  he  determined  to  make  a 
reckless  dash  for  liberty.  Then  they  would 
shoot  him  down  before  he  reached  the  cor- 

101 


THE    RED   ARROW 

ral,  and  his  death  would  be  swift  and  pain- 
less. 

The  lad  changed  his  plan,  however,  as  he 
saw  the  old  squaw  and  a  young  brave  enter 
the  lodge  with  food  and  water  soon  after 
dark.  He  believed  that  the  Crows  had  de- 
cided to  spare  him  for  still  another  day,  and 
he  determined  to  take  advantage  of  the  op- 
portunity. He  made  careful  note  of  the 
young  warrior  who  accompanied  the  squaw. 
As  the  Crow  stooped  to  free  his  hands  the 
Sioux  saw  that  his  only  weapon  was  a  knife. 
When  the  old  woman  left  the  lodge,  there- 
fore, White  Otter  grasped  the  surprised  Crow 
by  the  throat  and  threw  him  upon  his  back. 
He  choked  him  into  insensibility  and  then 
gagged  him  with  a  piece  of  buckskin  cut  from 
his  leggings.  In  another  moment  White 
Otter  cut  the  thongs  which  bound  his  ankles 
and  began  to  rub  the  circulation  into  his  legs. 
Then  he  crawled  cautiously  under  the  rear 
of  the  lodge. 

Once  outside,  the  Sioux  hurried  toward  the 
corral.  Shielded  by  the  dark,  he  reached  the 
piebald  without  being  discovered.  Twisting 
one  of  the  rawhide  thongs  about  the  animal's 
lower  jaw,  he  led  the  pony  cautiously  away. 

102 


IN   THE   CROW   CAMP 

The  Crow  horses  were  upon  the  plain,  and 
White  Otter  knew  that  he  could  gain  a  big 
lead  before  his  enemies  began  the  pursuit. 
He  struggled  to  the  piebald's  back,  and  rode 
away  at  a  gallop.  He  was  a  long  way  out 
on  the  plain  when  he  heard  a  wild  commo- 
tion in  the  Crow  camp.  Aware  that  his 
escape  had  been  discovered,  the  young  Sioux 
turned  his  face  to  the  stars  and  asked  aid 
from  the  Great  Mystery. 


VIII 

A   BOLD  RESCUE 

HAVING  escaped  from  his  enemies,  White 
Otter's  first  thought  was  of  Sun  Bird. 
He  determined  to  find  the  camp  to  which  he 
had  been  taken  and  learn  if  he  were  still  alive. 
It  seemed  like  a  foolhardy  undertaking,  as  he 
was  without  food  or  the  necessary  weapons 
to  procure  it.  However,  loyalty  was  the 
first  law  of  the  Sioux  nation,  and  White  Ot- 
ter was  not  the  sort  to  shirk  his  duty. 

White  Otter  realized  that  to  find  Sun  Bird 
he  must  return  to  the  spot  where  they  had 
been  surprised  by  the  Crows.  He  turned  his 
pony  toward  the  west,  therefore,  and  rode 
until  daylight.  Then  he  took  shelter  in  a 
scattered  stand  of  willows.  With  the  knife 
which  he  had  taken  from  the  Crow  he  made 
a  rude  bow  and  some  arrows  from  sharpened 
willow  sticks.  Then  he  cut  a  strip  from  his 
rawhide  belt  and  twisted  it  into  a  bowstring. 

104 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

With  these  crude  weapons  he  succeeded  in 
killing  several  rabbits.  He  had  left  his  fire- 
sticks  at  the  camp  site,  however,  and  he  was 
forced  to  eat  his  game  uncooked. 

At  twilight  of  the  second  day  the  lad 
reached  the  spot  where  he  had  last  seen  Sun 
Bird.  To  his  delight  he  found  that  the 
Crows  had  failed  to  discover  his  fire-sticks. 
Realizing  that  it  would  be  folly  to  attempt  to 
follow  Sun  Bird's  trail  before  daylight,  and 
fearing  that  the  Crows  might  have  guessed 
his  plan  and  followed  him,  he  made  a  wide 
detour,  and  spent  the  night  in  the  bottom  of 
a  ravine,  some  distance  to  the  west. 

Failing  to  see  anything  of  his  enemies  at 
dawn,  he  left  his  hiding-place  and  returned 
to  the  camp  site.  He  soon  discovered  pony 
tracks  leading  toward  the  north.  The  trail 
was  difficult  to  follow,  as  the  plain  was  hard 
and  sun-baked  and  the  tracks  were  indistinct 
and  far  apart.-  However,  White  Otter  worked 
it  out  step  by  step  until  he  got  an  idea  of  the 
general  direction  taken  by  the  riders,  and 
then  he  hurried  along  at  a  brisk  canter. 
Whenever  he  missed  the  tracks  he  circled 
until  he  found  them,  and  then  hastened  on. 
At  the  end  of  the  day  he  came  upon 

105 


THE    RED   ARROW 

ashes  of  a  camp-fire,  and  he  knew  that  the 
Crows  had  passed  the  night  there.  Well 
pleased  with  his  progress,  the  weary  lad 
stopped  to  rest. 

White  Otter's  mind  was  filled  with  all  sorts 
of  alarming  possibilities,  and  sleep  was  im- 
possible. When  he  did  doze  he  was  disturbed 
by  dreams  of  Sun  Bird,  and  he  preferred  to 
remain  awake.  His  greatest  fear  was  that 
the  Crows  from  whom  he  had  escaped  might 
have  sent  scouts  to  warn  their  distant  tribes- 
men. In  that  event  his  mission  would  be  in 
vain.  He  took  hope,  however,  in  the  thought 
that  his  late  captors  might  be  unwilling  to 
acknowledge  that  they  had  been  outwitted 
and  would  withhold  the  news  of  his  escape 
until  they  had  exhausted  every  effort  to  find 
him. 

Toward  dawn  White  Otter  was  alarmed  by 
the  cry  of  a  coyote  far  away  to  the  east  of 
him.  He  listened  anxiously,  wondering  if  it 
were  another  signal.  Perhaps  the  Crows  had 
followed  him.  His  heart  sank  at  the  thought. 
As  the  call  was  repeated,  however,  he  recog- 
nized it  as  genuine,  and  his  fears  subsided. 

As  soon  as  it  grew  light  enough  to  see,  the 
impatient  lad  mounted  the  piebald  and  hur- 

106 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

ried  away.  For  a  long  distance  the  trail  was 
easy  to  follow,  and  then  it  faded  out  in  a 
barren  stretch  of  sage.  He  lost  valuable  time 
looking  for  it,  but  he  finally  picked  it  up  some 
distance  farther  on  and  followed  it  until  the 
end  of  the  day. 

Then  the  Sioux  saw  six  horsemen  riding 
toward  the  west.  He  hurried  his  pony  into 
a  shallow  ravine  and  hid  behind  a  boulder 
to  watch  them.  Their  appearance  rilled  him 
with  alarm.  His  first  thought  was  that  they 
were  the  scouts  from  the  east.  As  he 
watched  them,  however,  he  began  to  have 
doubts.  He  asked  himself  why  they  had 
made  the  long  detour  to  the  north.  As  he 
pondered  the  question  he  became  convinced 
that  they  were  not  the  men  he  had  supposed 
them  to  be.  Then  who  were  they,  and  what 
was  their  mission?  White  Otter  believed 
that  they  were  hunters  returning  to  the  very 
village  he  wished  to  find. 

When  the  horsemen  finally  disappeared 
over  a  distant  rise  of  the  plain  the  lad  led  his 
pony  from  the  ravine  and  followed  them. 
Realizing  his  peril,  he  advanced  with  great 
caution,  and  when  he  again  caught  sight  of 
them  it  was  almost  dark.  He  watched  from 

107 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  summit  of  a  low  ridge  until  they  passed 
from  view,  and  then  he  rode  after  them.  When 
darkness  fell,  and  he  saw  no  sign  of  a  camp- 
fire,  he  felt  sure  the  Crow  camp  was  close  by. 
Believing  that  the  horsemen  were  riding 
straight  for  the  village,  White  Otter  chose  one 
of  the  brighter  stars  for  a  guide  and  continued 
toward  the  west.  At  short  intervals  he 
stopped  his  pony  and  strained  his  ears  to 
catch  any  stray  sounds  which  would  warn 
him  of  the  proximity  of  the  camp.  The  night- 
hush  was  unbroken,  however,  and  the  young 
Sioux  kept  on.  He  knew  that  he  was  expos- 
ing himself  to  great  danger,  but  the  thought  of 
Sun  Bird  gave  him  courage. 

At  dawn  White  Otter  concealed  his  pony 
in  a  clump  of  cottonwoods  and  crawled  cau- 
tiously to  a  rise  of  ground  to  reconnoiter. 
Half-way  between  him  and  a  ridge  of  foot- 
hills to  the  west  was  a  line  of  willows  marking 
a  watercourse.  His  heart  bounded  at  sight 
of  them,  for  he  felt  sure  that  the  Crow  village 
was  somewhere  along  that  stream.  Then  he 
discovered  a  thin  column  of  smoke  rising 
above  the  tree-tops,  and  a  moment  later  he 
saw  the  lodges. 

The  lad  spent  the  day  watching  the  Crow 
108 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

camp.  He  saw  several  companies  of  horse- 
men ride  away  toward  the  foot-hills,  and  he 
believed  that  they  were  hunters.  At  sunset 
they  returned,  and  White  Otter  was  much 
relieved  when  they  drove  the  ponies  out  upon 
the  plain.  It  filled  him  with  hope,  for  he 
believed  that  these  people  were  unaware  of 
his  escape.  Had  they  been  warned,  he  felt 
sure  they  would  have  kept  the  horses  under 
strong  guard  near  the  camp.  The  Sioux's 
eyes  flashed  as  he  realized  the  ease  with 
which  he  could  lead  away  one  or  more  Crow 
ponies  under  cover  of  the  night. 

White  Otter's  first  task,  however,  was  to 
learn  whether  Sun  Bird  was  in  the  camp. 
As  soon  as  it  was  dark,  therefore,  he  left  the 
piebald  in  the  timber  and  set  out  for  the 
village.  When  he  reached  the  willows  he 
followed  the  stream  until  he  saw  the  glow 
from  the  camp-fires.  Then  he  stopped  to 
listen.  All  was  still.  The  lad  turned  his 
face  toward  the  heavens  and  asked  aid  from 
the  Great  Mystery.  Then  he  continued 
toward  the  camp.  He  had  not  gone  far  be- 
fore he  saw  the  dim  outlines  of  a  lodge  loom- 
ing up  a  short  distance  ahead  of  him.  His 
heart  beat  wildly,  for  he  realized  that  he  was 

109 


THE    RED   ARROW 

almost  at  the  edge  of  the  village.  He  heard 
voices  and  the  crackle  of  fires,  and  for  a  mo- 
ment he  hesitated.  Then  the  desire  to  know 
Sun  Bird's  fate  drove  him  on.  Sinking  to  his 
hands  and  knees,  he  crawled  to  a  patch  of  low 
bushes  which  afforded  him  a  view  of  the  camp. 
The  Sioux  saw  a  group  of  warriors  sitting 
about  a  large  fire  in  the  center  of  the  village, 
and  his  eyes  were  quick  to  distinguish  Spotted 
Dog,  the  Crow  chief.  The  latter  was  talking 
quietly  with  an  old  man  at  his  left.  A  short 
distance  away  two  old  women  were  broiling 
meat  over  the  glowing  embers  of  a  cooking-  l 
fire.  Between  the  fires  a  company  of  boys 
were  practising  a  dance.  Beyond  them,  a 
squaw  was  instructing  some  girls  in  the  art  of 
making  moccasins.  It  was  a  peaceful  scene, 
and  the  lad  saw  nothing  to  suggest  that  the 
camp  contained  a  captive.  If  he  were  there, 
the  Crows  seemed  to  have  entirely  dismissed 
him  from  their  minds.  White  Otter  had  ex- 
pected to  see  them  gathered  in  council.  He 
had  even  feared  that  he  might  find  them  danc- 
ing the  war-dance  around  his  friend.  The  lad 
was  perplexed,  and  his  perplexity  made  him 
suspicious.  Had  they  already  decided  the 
captive's  fate?  White  Otter  weakened  at 

no 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

the  thought.  Then  he  grasped  at  a  shred 
of  hope.  Perhaps  Sun  Bird  had  escaped! 
The  possibility  electrified  him.  He  prayed 
that  it  might  be  true. 

A  few  moments  later,  however,  Sun  Bird 
appeared.  He  walked  slowly  forward  in  the 
company  of  two  stalwart  guards  and  seated 
himself  among  the  warriors  about  the  fire. 
Except  for  his  dress,  one  might  have  taken 
him  for  a  member  of  the  tribe,  for  there  was 
nothing  to  suggest  that  he  was  a  captive. 
White  Otter  stared  at  him  in  amazement, 
lie  could  scarcely  believe  his  eyes.  For  one 
brief  moment  a  sickening  doubt  entered  his 
heart.  Had  Sun  Bird  pledged  allegiance  to 
the  Crows?  White  Otter  recalled  the  offer 
which  the  chief  had  made  to  them  at  the  pass, 
and  he  wondered  whether  Sun  Bird  had  ac- 
cepted it  to  save  his  life.  He  weakened  at 
the  thought.  The  next  instant  he  banished 
it  from  his  mind.  His  confidence  in  Sun 
Bird's  loyalty  was  too  strong  to  be  shaken 
by  such  an  unjust  suspicion,  and  he  was 
ashamed  of  himself.  White  Otter  was  con- 
vinced that,  whatever  was  the  reason  for  Sun 
Bird's  apparent  freedom  from  restraint,  it  had 
not  been  earned  by  sacrificing  his  honor. 

in 


THE    RED   ARROW 

It  was  not  long,  however,  before  White 
Otter  learned  the  answer  to  the  riddle. 
Spotted  Dog  turned  and  spoke  to  the  young 
Sioux,  and  Sun  Bird  immediately  rose  to  his 
feet.  For  several  moments  he  stood  with  his 
head  thrown  back,  gazing  at  the  sky.  Then 
as  the  Crows  began  to  beat  their  war-drums 
he  crouched  and  began  to  dance.  He  went 
through  all  sorts  of  ridiculous  contortions, 
and  appeared  to  be  rousing  himself  to  a 
frenzy.  As  his  excitement  increased  he  danced 
to  the  fire  and  picked  up  glowing  embers, 
which  he  appeared  to  hold  against  his  flesh. 
It  was  a  weird  and  unusual  exhibition,  and 
White  Otter  watched  him  in  wide-eyed  as- 
tonishment. Then  he  heard  his  voice  rising 
shrilly  in  the  Sioux  medicine-song,  and  the 
true  significance  of  the  performance  flashed 
into  his  mind.  His  eyes  twinkled  merrily 
as  he  realized  that  the  Crows  were  again 
being  duped. 

White  Otter  believed  that  Sun  Bird  had 
succeeded  in  impressing  the  Crows  with  his 
importance  as  a  medicine-man.  Having 
learned  some  of  the  ceremonies  from  his 
father,  he  was  using  them  to  gain  favor  with 
his  captors.  As  all  the  tribes  considered  it 

112 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

unlucky  to  kill  a  person  possessing  mysteri- 
ous powers,  White  Otter  now  understood  why 
the  Crows  had  spared  Sun  Bird.  He  knew, 
however,  that  the  scheme  was  a  dangerous 
one.  The  Crows  were  likely  to  put  his  powers 
to  an  impossible  test,  and  if  he  failed  his  fate 
would  be  beyond  imagining.  It  was  evident, 
however,  that  the  wily  young  Sioux  was  only 
using  the  ruse  to  gain  time  until  he  could 
find  an  opportunity  to  escape.  He  terminated 
the  clever  hoax  with  a  lengthy  speech  to 
Spotted  Dog,  and  White  Otter  feared  that  the 
Crow  chief  had  actually  consulted  him  upon 
some  matter  of  importance.  When  the  talk 
was  ended  his  guards  escorted  him  to  a  lodge 
at  the  edge  of  the  camp.  Then,  having 
learned  what  he  wished  to  know,  White 
Otter  withdrew  to  the  plain. 

He  spent  the  following  day  watching  the 
Crow  village.  He  feared  the  arrival  of  scouts 
from  the  east  with  word  of  his  escape,  and 
he  was  nervous  and  anxious.  If  they  arrived 
before  dark  he  knew  that  his  plan  to  save 
Sun  Bird  would  be  futile.  As  the  sun  finally 
neared  the  western  rim  of  the  plain  White 
Otter  began  to  hope.  Believing  that  the  dan- 
ger had  passed,  he  transferred  his  attention 

8  113 


THE    RED   ARROW 

to  the  band  of  ponies  which  were  grazing 
some  distance  from  the  camp.  They  were  too 
far  away  to  enable  him  to  identify  the  buck- 
skin, but  he  had  doubts  that  it  was  in  the 
herd.  He  believed  that  the  members  of  the 
war  party  had  drawn  lots  for  it,  and  he  felt 
sure  that  the  winner  would  picket  his  prize 
nearer  the  village. 

As  night  finally  closed  down  White  Otter 
muzzled  the  piebald  and  rode  cautiously 
toward  the  Crow  ponies.  He  knew  that  it 
would  be  a  waste  of  time  to  look  for  the 
buckskin,  but  he  made  a  careful  inspection 
of  the  herd.  He  passed  by  several  horses 
which  did  not  appear  fit,  and  then  he  found 
one  which  suited  him.  It  was  a  clean-limbed 
little  roan,  and  even  in  the  dark  the  lad's 
trained  eyes  detected  evidences  of  speed  and 
endurance.  Dismantling  his  rude  bow,  he 
twisted  the  rawhide  about  the  pony's  lower 
jaw,  and  then  he  muzzled  the  animal  and 
led  it  toward  the  stream. 

When  White  Otter  crawled  to  the  edge  of 
the  camp  he  saw  that  something  had  upset 
the  Crows.  The  warriors  were  gathered  in 
council,  and  Spotted  Dog  was  talking  excit- 
edly. For  a  moment  White  Otter's  courage 

114 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

failed  him.  He  feared  that  they  had  learned 
of  his  escape.  Then  he  guessed  the  truth — 
Sun  Bird's  hoax  had  been  discovered.  White 
Otter  believed  that  they  had  put  the  lad's 
powers  to  the  test.  He  was  convinced  when 
an  aged  warrior,  whose  dress  proclaimed  him 
a  medicine-man,  rose  to  his  feet  and  began 
to  talk.  His  words  seemed  to  find  instant 
favor,  and  it  was  evident  that  he  was  extoll- 
ing his  own  powers  and  exposing  the  fraud 
of  his  rival.  He  roused  himself  into  a  great 
rage,  and  his  voice  rose  to  a  shriek.  The 
entire  tribe  gathered  to  hear  him,  and  White 
Otter  had  little  doubt  that  Sun  Bird's  fate 
was  already  sealed.  When  the  medicine- 
man finally  exhausted  himself  several  war- 
riors left  the  council  circle  and  hurried  toward 
the  lodge  in  which  the  Sioux  was  confined. 

White  Otter  was  tortured  by  the  agony  of 
despair.  Each  moment  increased  his  sus- 
pense. It  was  evident  that  he  was  about  to 
see  Sun  Bird  put  to  death,  and  he  could  think 
of  no  way  to  save  him.  His  helplessness 
almost  drove  him  mad.  His  first  impulse 
was  to  rush  boldly  into  the  camp  to  die  beside 
his  friend.  He  realized,  however,  that  such 
an  action  would  be  foolhardy,  and  he  knew 

"5 


THE    RED   ARROW 

that  Sun  Bird  would  disapprove  the  useless 
sacrifice.  The  distracted  lad  determined  to 
remain  in  concealment,  therefore,  hoping  that 
he  might  still  find  an  opportunity  to  aid  his 
friend. 

Sun  Bird's  appearance  forced  a  wild  out- 
burst from  the  Crows.  The  village  was  in  an 
uproar  as  the  unfortunate  lad  was  brought 
before  the  chief.  White  Otter  shuddered  as 
he  recalled  his  own  experience.  This  time 
the  Sioux's  arms  were  tightly  bound  behind 
his  back,  and  as  he  stood  helplessly  in  the 
midst  of  the  excited  throng  the  old  medicine- 
man ran  forward  and  struck  him  a  stinging 
blow  in  the  face.  Sun  Bird  showed  no  fear, 
however,  and  his  splendid  courage  filled 
White  Otter's  heart  with  pride.  Spotted  Dog 
made  a  fiery  speech,  and  from  his  tone  and 
manner  it  was  evident  that  he  was  reviling 
the  calm-eyed  youth  who  faced  him.  Sun 
Bird's  scornful  indifference  inflamed  the  hys- 
terical old  medicine-man  into  such  a  temper 
that  he  pushed  Spotted  Dog  aside  and  sprang 
at  the  lad  to  throttle  him.  The  chief  seized 
him,  however,  and  thrust  him  from  the  circle. 
This  act  led  White  Otter  to  hope  that  the 
Crows  might  intend  to  delay  the  execution 

116 


A    BOLD    RESCUE 

until  the  following  day.  A  few  moments 
later  Sun  Bird  was  taken  back  to  the  lodge, 
and  the  agonized  lad  at  the  edge  of  the  camp 
raised  his  face  and  gave  thanks  to  the  Great 
Mystery. 

However,  the  Crows  showed  no  inclination 
to  end  the  council,  and  as  he  realized  the 
hopelessness  of  attempting  to  rescue  Sun 
Bird  before  the  people  retired  to  the  lodges 
White  Otter  fretted  at  the  delay.  The  chil- 
dren and  most  of  the  women  had  already  dis- 
appeared, but  the  warriors  appeared  to  have 
settled  themselves  for  the  night.  Their  ac- 
tions worried  him.  He  knew  that  an  impor- 
tant council  was  often  continued  until  day- 
light, and  he  feared  that  the  Crows  might 
prolong  their  discussion  and  rob  him  of  his 
opportunity. 

At  last,  when  the  night  was  two-thirds 
gone,  the  talk  came  to  an  end.  White  Otter's 
heart  beat  fast  with  excitement  as  he  watched 
the  warriors  rise  and  disperse  to  the  various 
lodges.  His  hopes  collapsed,  however,  when 
two  of  the  Crows  entered  the  lodge  to  which 
they  had  taken  the  captive.  Here  was  a 
difficulty  which  upset  all  his  plans,  for  he  had 
relied  upon  finding  Sun  Bird  alone.  Then 

117 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  warriors  came  out  and  went  into  the  next 
lodge,  and  White  Otter's  eyes  flashed  with 
triumph. 

When  the  camp  was  quiet  the  daring  young 
Sioux  hurried  along  the  edge  of  the  village 
until  he  came  to  the  lodge  occupied  by  Sun 
Bird.  Then  he  drew  his  knife  and  wrig- 
gled under  the  rear  of  the  tepee.  Once  in- 
side, he  called  softly  to  his  friend.  The 
prisoner  rose  at  the  sound,  and  White  Otter 
sprang  to  his  side.  It  took  but  a  few  moments 
to  free  him  from  his  bonds,  and  then  the  lads 
crawled  from  the  lodge. 

The  Sioux  went  cautiously  until  they  were 
an  arrow-flight  from  the  camp,  and  then  they 
began  to  run.  They  reached  the  ponies  in 
safety,  and  rode  away  at  a  gallop.  When 
they  were  some  distance  out  on  the  plain  Sun 
Bird  offered  his  hand  to  White  Otter. 

"You  are  a  brave  warrior,"  he  said.  "My 
heart  is  full  of  words  which  I  cannot  speak." 

"We  are  brothers,"  replied  White  Otter. 


IX 

THE  UNKNOWN  HORSEMEN 

IN  spite  of  their  successful  escape  the  Sioux 
found  themselves  in  a  serious  plight. 
The  loss  of  their  weapons  and  accoutrements 
was  a  severe  set-back,  and  they  agreed  that  it 
would  be  folly  to  continue  toward  the  Pawnee 
camp  until  they  had  supplied  themselves  with 
a  new  equipment.  White  Otter's  primitive  bow 
was  utterly  useless  for  purposes  of  defense. 

"We  are  as  helpless  as  papooses/*  Sun  Bird 
declared,  bitterly. 

"We  are  like  an  old  wolf  that  has  lost  its 
teeth,"  laughed  White  Otter. 

The  lads  realized  that  to  properly  equip 
themselves  would  consume  several  days,  and 
they  feared  that  the  delay  might  be  fatal. 
They  had  little  doubt  that  the  Crows  would 
make  a  determined  search  for  them,  and  they 
expected  to  see  them  ride  into  view  at  any 
moment. 

119 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"We  will  hide  in  the  foot-hills  until  we  are 
ready  to  fight/*  proposed  Sun  Bird. 

"There  is  no  other  way;  we  will  do  as  you 
say/'  agreed  White  Otter. 

They  turned  their  ponies  toward  the  west, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  third  day  they  reached 
the  foot-hills.  Then  for  several  days  they 
worked  patiently  at  their  task.  Their  only 
tool  was  the  knife  which  White  Otter  had 
brought  from  the  Crow  camp,  and  they  en- 
countered many  difficulties.  They  made 
their  bows  from  ash,  which  they  found  grow- 
ing on  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  and  their  arrows 
from  smooth,  straight  branches  of  the  red 
willow,  which  they  procured  in  a  sheltered 
ravine.  Then  Sun  Bird  discovered  a  small 
outcrop  of  flint,  and  they  chipped  it  off  and 
made  it  into  arrow-heads.  In  the  mean  time 
White  Otter  had  killed  a  deer,  which  fur- 
nished sinews  for  binding  the  flint  to  the 
willow  shafts  and  with  buckskin  for  bow- 
strings. They  knew  that  to  make  the  arrows 
fly  true,  however,  they  must  have  feathers, 
and  another  day  passed  before  White  Otter 
finally  killed  a  hawk.  Then  the  new  weapons 
were  tested.  The  first  trials  were  discourag- 
ing; the  arrows  flew  uncertainly  and  plunged 

120 


THE    UNKNOWN    HORSEMEN 

to  the  ground  before  they  had  gone  half 
their  course.  The  lads  knew  that  they  had 
made  them  too  heavy  at  the  point,  and  they 
unbound  the  flint  and  chipped  it  to  a  smaller 
size.  Then  they  readjusted  the  feathers  and 
tried  again.  This  time  they  drove  every 
arrow  into  the  mark.  Well  satisfied  with 
their  new  weapons,  the  Sioux  left  the  foot- 
hills and  resumed  their  journey  toward  the 
distant  Pawnee  camp. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  day  they  surprised  a 
small  band  of  buffaloes  drinking  in  a  narrow 
ravine,  and  they  killed  two  cows.  Their 
coats  were  soft  and  silky,  and  the  lads  were 
much  pleased  with  their  success.  They 
camped  at  the  stream  several  days,  scraping 
and  washing  the  pelts,  which  they  made 
into  robes. 

"The  Great  Mystery  has  returned  what  the 
Crows  took  from  us/'  White  Otter  declared, 
reverently. 

"It  is  good.  He  has  heard  our  prayers; 
we  will  be  successful,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

Having  seen  nothing  of  the  Crows,  the  lads 
believed  that  at  last  they  had  abandoned  the 
pursuit.  They  determined  to  take  no  chances, 
however,  and  each  night  one  watched  while 

121 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  other  slept.  They  rode  steadily  toward 
the  south,  and  as  they  found  an  abundance  of 
game  for  themselves  and  plenty  of  grass  and 
water  for  their  ponies,  they  were  in  high 
spirits. 

One  morning  as  they  were  crossing  a  wide 
stretch  of  sage  Sun  Bird  touched  White 
Otter's  arm  and  pointed  to  the  west.  They 
saw  a  heavy  dust-cloud,  and  a  short  distance 
ahead  of  it  a  small  bunch  of  antelope  in  wild 
flight.  A  moment  later  a  horseman  ap- 
peared. He  discovered  the  Sioux,  and  turned 
to  watch  them.  Then  he  dismounted  and 
began  to  wave  his  robe.  It  was  the  signal  for 
a  talk,  and  the  lads  looked  at  each  other  in 
amazement. 

"That  man  is  either  very  brave  or  very 
foolish/'  declared  White  Otter. 

"Wait;  we  will  see  who  he  is,"  replied 
Sun  Bird. 

Then  he  waved  his  buffalo  robe  slowly 
about  his  head.  The  horseman  mounted  his 
pony  and  began  to  approach  them.  Fearing 
a  trap,  the  Sioux  remained  where  they  were. 
When  they  did  not  go  to  meet  him  the 
rider  stopped  and  again  waved  his  robe. 
Sun  Bird  replied  to  the  signal.  This  time, 

122 


THE   UNKNOWN    HORSEMEN 

however,  the  horseman  did  not  move.  He 
waited  a  few  moments,  and  then  he  wheeled 
his  pony  and  galloped  away.  After  he  had 
disappeared  over  a  rise  of  the  plain  the  per- 
plexed lads  turned  to  each  other  for  an 
explanation. 

"It  is  bad,"  said  Sun  Bird.  "He  is  a 
young  brave.  He  is  with  a  hunting-party. 
They  have  separated.  He  took  us  for  his 
friends.  He  saw  that  we  were  cautious,  and 
he  became  afraid.  He  does  not  know  that 
we  are  Sioux,  but  he  will  tell  this  thing  to  his 
people.  We  must  ride  away  from  here.  I 
do  not  believe  he  is  a  Crow.  I  do  not  know 
who  he  is.  My  eyes  do  not  travel  so  far. 
Let  us  go." 

"You  speak  wise  words.  I  believe  what 
you  say,"  declared  White  Otter. 

The  Sioux  rode  away  at  a  fast  pace.  They 
glanced  uneasily  over  their  shoulders,  ex- 
pecting to  see  a  war  party  following  on  their 
trail.  The  ponies  seemed  to  be  about  equally 
matched  in  speed,  and  Sun  Bird  found  the 
little  roan  a  worthy  substitute  for  the  buck- 
skin. As  they  saw  nothing  to  indicate  that 
they  were  being  pursued,  the  lads  reined  the 
animals  to  a  walk.  Shortly  after  midday 

123 


THE    RED   ARROW 

they  came  to  a  water-hole  and  they  stopped 
to  broil  some  buffalo  meat.  As  they  ate  they 
discussed  the  actions  of  the  lone  horseman. 
They  were  still  perplexed.  Sun  Bird's  solu- 
tion seemed  to  be  the  only  plausible  one,  and 
yet  the  whole  affair  was  a  mystery.  Al- 
though they  spent  some  time  rehearsing  it, 
they  were  unable  to  reach  a  definite  conclu- 
sion. 

They  were  preparing  to  resume  their  jour- 
ney when  White  Otter  discovered  a  group  of 
animals  far  away  on  the  plain.  He  showed 
them  to  Sun  Bird,  and  they  studied  them 
closely.  For  some  moments  they  were  un- 
able to  identify  them. 

"Antelopes  are  not  so  big  when  they  are 
far  away,"  White  Otter  said,  dubiously. 

"  Buff  aloes  do  not  hold  their  heads  so 
high,"  declared  Sun  Bird. 

"They  are  ponies,"  cried  White  Otter. 

"Your  eyes  are  good;  it  is  so,"  agreed 
Sun  Bird. 

"My  grandfather  has  told  me  of  wild 
horses  which  live  on  the  plain  near  the 
Pawnee  country." 

"I,  too,  have  heard  of  those  animals,"  said 
Sun  Bird.  "But  these  ponies  carry  riders." 

124 


THE    UNKNOWN    HORSEMEN 

"Your  eyes  are  better  than  mine,  for  I  see 
nothing  but  the  ponies,"  said  White  Otter. 

"My  eyes  do  not  tell  me  this;  I  feel  it  in 
my  heart,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

"Then  I  believe  it  is  so,"  declared  White 
Otter.  "We  will  wait  until  we  are  sure." 

The  actions  of  the  distant  ponies  strength- 
ened Sun  Bird's  suspicions.  After  watching 
them  some  time  they  became  convinced  that 
the  animals  were  being  skilfully  manoeuvered 
by  unseen  riders.  The  ponies  remained  broad- 
side to  them,  and  they  believed  that  each 
horse  concealed  a  warrior.  It  was  an  old 
trick  which  the  lads  themselves  had  often 
practised  when  hunting.  By  crouching  and 
walking  close  to  the  pony's  shoulder  it  was 
easy  to  escape  detection.  As  the  band  of 
horses  made  no  attempt  to  approach,  the 
Sioux  lingered.  They  were  curious  to  learn 
what  the  horsemen  intended  to  do.  They 
believed  that  they  were  attempting  to  decoy 
them  within  bow-range.  Then  one  of  the 
ponies  suddenly  wheeled  and  exposed  the 
man  behind  it.  The  lads  laughed  heartily  at 
his  awkward  attempts  to  hide  himself.  A 
few  moments  afterward  the  ponies  disap- 
peared, and  it  was  evident  that  the  strate- 

125 


THE    RED   ARROW 

gists  realized  that  their  ruse  had  been  dis- 
covered. 

"Come,"  cried  Sun  Bird.  "We  must  ride 
away;  they  will  circle  around  us." 

They  rode  off  at  a  brisk  canter,  watching 
sharply  for  the  mysterious  horsemen.  As 
the  day  passed  and  they  failed  to  appear,  the 
Sioux  believed  that  they  had  turned  back 
Their  fears  were  revived,  however,  just  before 
dark,  when  they  saw  a  bunch  of  animals 
silhouetted  against  the  sunset  sky.  They 
were  far  away,  but  the  lads  finally  identified 
them  as  antelope.  Then  they  found  water, 
and  made  camp. 

The  next  day  they  saw  a  range  of  giant 
peaks  towering  against  the  sky  far  to  the 
south.  Sun  Bird  said  his  father  had  told 
him  of  these  mountains,  and  he  declared 
that  they  were  nearing  the  Pawnee  camp. 
Shortly  afterward  they  swam  their  ponies 
across  a  river,  and  White  Otter  said  he  recog- 
nized it  as  one  which  his  grandfather  had  de- 
scribed. He  told  Sun  Bird  the  Pawnee  village 
was  three  days'  journey  from  this  water. 

"Then  we  are  already  in  the  country  of  our 
enemies;  we  must  be  cautious/'  Sun  Bird 
replied. 


THE   UNKNOWN   HORSEMEN 

"We  will  be  as  watchful  as  the  eagle  and 
as  cunning  as  the  fox,"  said  White  Otter. 

Toward  the  end  of  the  day  the  lads  dis- 
covered fresh  pony  tracks,  and  they  stopped 
to  examine  them.  They  saw  the  marks  of 
travois-poles  mingled  with  the  footprints  of 
the  horses,  and  they  knew  that  the  travelers 
were  moving  their  lodges.  As  they  were  far 
south  of  the  Crow  country,  and  several  days' 
journey  to  the  west  of  the  Kiowa  hunting- 
grounds,  the  Sioux  believed  that  these  people 
might  be  Pawnees. 

"We  must  follow  them  and  find  out  who 
they  are,"  said  Sun  Bird,  after  he  had  care- 
fully studied  the  trail. 

"It  is  the  best  thing  to  do,"  agreed  White 
Otter. 

The  day  was  far  gone,  and  they  had  little 
hope  of  coming  within  sight  of  the  travelers 
before  dark.  For  a  short  distance  the  trail 
continued  toward  the  north,  and  then  it 
turned  to  the  west.  The  lads  recalled  that 
the  unknown  horsemen  had  also  disappeared 
in  that  direction,  and  they  began  to  think. 

"Now  I  know  this  thing,"  said  Sun  Bird. 
"The  warriors  who  hid  behind  those  ponies 
are  with  this  camp.  They  are  hunters. 

127 


THE    RED   ARROW 

The  young  brave  who  took  us  for  his  people 
told  them  about  us.  They  followed  him,  and 
then  they  saw  us.  They  could  not  catch  us. 
Then  they  rode  away  to  tell  the  camp  what 
they  had  seen.  They  will  send  a  war  party 
to  look  for  us.  It  is  bad." 

"You  have  the  wisdom  of  the  old  men;  I 
believe  your  words,"  replied  White  Otter. 

The  lads  followed  the  trail  until  dark,  and 
then  they  left  it  and  camped  beside  the  river. 
They  passed  most  of  the  night  discussing 
the  problem  which  confronted  them.  They 
realized  that  it  might  take  several  days  to 
learn  what  they  wished  to  know.  First  they 
must  find  the  camp  and  ascertain  whether 
the  travelers  were  Pawnees.  Then  they  must 
learn  whether  this  was  the  main  village,  or 
whether  the  Pawnees  had  divided  into  two 
camps.  The  latter  possibility  caused  them 
much  anxiety.  They  realized  that  their  task 
would  be  doubly  difficult  if  the  Pawnees  had 
separated.  In  that  event  it  might  be  nec- 
essary to  visit  both  camps  to  find  Little 
Raven  and  recover  the  Red  Arrow. 

"If  the  Pawnees  are  all  together  we  shall 
find  what  we  seek,"  said  Sun  Bird.  "If  they 
have  separated,  it  is  bad.  If  I  do  not  find 

128 


THE    UNKNOWN    HORSEMEN 

Little  Raven  in  this  camp,  then  I  shall  seek 
the  other  village.  I  have  promised  to  rescue 
my  brother/' 

"It  is  good;  we  will  do  as  you  say.  If  I 
do  not  find  the  Red  Arrow  in  this  camp 
then  I,  too,  shall  seek  the  other  village.  I 
have  promised  to  bring  the  trophy  to  my 
people." 

At  daylight  White  Otter  killed  two  ducks, 
and  after  making  a  careful  search  of  the  plain 
the  lads  made  a  tiny  fire  of  dry  wood  and 
broiled  the  birds  over  the  embers.  When 
they  had  finished  eating  they  returned  to  the 
trail.  They  saw  at  a  glance  that  nothing  had 
passed  over  it  since  the  day  before,  and  they 
felt  somewhat  relieved.  Soon  after  midday 
they  came  upon  the  remains  of  several  camp- 
fires.  As  the  ashes  were  cold,  the  Sioux  knew 
that  the  travelers  were  at  least  a  half -day 
ahead  of  them. 

"They  are  traveling  fast,"  said  White 
Otter.  "Their  journey  is  a  short  one.  I 
believe  they  are  going  to  hunt  buffaloes." 

"It  is  bad;  then  we  shall  not  find  what  we 

seek.     But  my  heart  tells  me  another  thing. 

I  believe  it  is  a  big  camp.     I  see  the  signs  of 

many    lodges.     I    believe    these   people    are 

9  I29 


THE    RED   ARROW 

going  to  a  council.  They  will  meet  all  their 
people.  It  is  good;  we  shall  find  what  we 
seek." 

At  the  end  of  the  day,  however,  the  lads 
had  failed  to  discover  the  camp,  and  they 
were  somewhat  discouraged.  They  saw  a 
cloud  of  dust,  far  away  in  the  distance,  and 
they  believed  that  it  came  from  the  war  party 
that  had  been  sent  to  find  them.  Concealing 
their  ponies  in  a  ravine,  they  watched  anx- 
iously until  the  alarming  signal  faded  from 
sight.  Then  they  hurried  along  the  trail. 
At  dark  they  again  made  a  detour,  for  they 
feared  that  scouts  might  return  on  the  trail 
in  the  hope  of  trapping  them. 

" To-day  we  shall  meet  the  war  party; 
there  is  much  danger/'  warned  Sun  Bird,  as 
they  set  out  at  dawn. 

"How  do  you  know  this  thing?"  demanded 
White  Otter. 

"An  arrow  fell  from  my  hand  and  stuck 
in  the  ground.  It  is  a  warning.  I  have 
heard  my  father  tell  it,  and  I  have  heard  the 
old  men  say  it  is  so." 

''Then  we  must  be  careful,"  White  Otter 
said,  solemnly. 

The  sun  was  only  half-way  to  the  meridian 
130 


THE    UNKNOWN    HORSEMEN 

when  they  came  to  the  place  where  the 
travelers  had  spent  the  night.  The  ashes 
from  the  fires  were  still  warm  and  the  lads 
had  hopes  of  coming  in  sight  of  the  camp 
before  dark.  The  possibility  made  them  anx- 
ious, and  they  urged  their  ponies  into  a  canter. 
They  had  not  gone  far,  however,  when  they 
saw  a  company  of  horsemen  galloping  toward 
them  from  the  north.  The  plain  offered  no 
cover,  and  the  Sioux  felt  sure  that  they  had 
already  been  discovered.  Determined  to  take 
advantage  of  their  lead,  they  turned  their 
ponies,  and  raced  away  at  top  speed. 

"It  is  the  war  party, "  said  Sun  Bird. 
"What  I  said  has  come  true." 

"It  is  so;  the  arrow  has  warned  us,"  agreed 
White  Otter. 

The  pursuit  was  not  a  long  one,  and  the 
lads  were  never  in  danger.  They  maintained 
their  lead  without  difficulty,  and  their  foes 
soon  abandoned  the  chase.  The  Sioux  watched 
them  ride  away  toward  the  west.  They  had 
been  unable  to  identify  them,  but  they  be- 
lieved that  they  were  the  same  warriors  whom 
they  had  encountered  two  days  before.  The 
lads  were  equally  certain  that  they  were 
members  of  the  camp. 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"They  will  tell  their  people  that  we  are 
following  the  trail,"  said  White  Otter. 

"We  have  been  foolish  to  let  them  know 
this  thing,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

The  Sioux  were  troubled.  They  believed 
that  they  had  blundered.  Aware  that  they 
were  being  followed,  the  travelers  would  take 
every  precaution  against  surprise,  and  the  lads 
feared  that  it  would  be  almost  impossible 
to  approach  the  camp  without  being  dis- 
covered. However,  they  had  no  idea  of 
abandoning  the  undertaking.  Fearing  that 
the  horsemen  might  attempt  to  surround 
them  under  cover  of  the  dark,  they  made  a 
wide  d6tour  before  they  finally  camped  for 
the  night. 

The  next  day  they  returned  to  the  river. 
They  swam  their  ponies  to  the  opposite  shore, 
and  then  turned  sharply  to  the  west.  For  a 
long  time  they  saw  nothing  of  the  travelers. 
Then,  some  distance  ahead  of  them,  they 
discovered  a  dust-cloud.  The  Sioux  looked 
at  each  other  in  surprise.  It  was  evident 
that  the  travelers  had  crossed  the  water. 
This  was  an  unexpected  manoeuver,  and  the 
lads  were  unable  to  guess  the  significance  of 
it.  It  was  impossible  to  tell  whether  the 

132 


THE   UNKNOWN   HORSEMEN 

dust  was  raised  by  the  main  company  of 
travelers  or  whether  by  the  smaller  company 
of  scouts,  for  the  riders  failed  to  show  them- 
selves. 

"I  do  not  know  this  thing/'  said  Sun  Bird. 
"My  heart  tells  me  that  we  are  in  danger." 

When  they  believed  it  was  safe  to  venture 
from  concealment  they  mounted  their  ponies 
and  advanced  with  great  caution.  They  saw 
nothing  more  until  near  the  end  of  the  day, 
and  then  they  discovered  something  which 
sent  a  thrill  through  them.  Peering  cau- 
tiously over  the  crest  of  a  low  ridge,  they  saw 
two  lines  of  horsemen  slowly  approaching 
each  other.  Farther  to  the  west  a  great 
column  of  dust  marked  the  hasty  flight  of  the 
camp.  The  lads  knew  that  there  was  to  be  a 
battle,  and  their  eyes  lighted  with  excitement. 
It  was  evident  that  the  travelers  had  been 
pursued  by  a  hostile  war  party.  Believing 
that  they  were  far  enough  away  to  escape 
detection,  the  Sioux  determined  to  watch. 

"See,  the  women  and  children  are  running 
away,  and  the  warriors  have  turned  to  meet 
their  enemies, "  said  White  Otter. 

"It  is  bad,"  replied  Sun  Bird.  "If  my 
brother  is  with  that  camp  he  may  be  killed." 

133 


THE    RED   ARROW 

For  a  moment  the  possibility  sobered  them. 
Then  the  battle  began,  and  every  other 
thought  was  driven  from  their  minds.  They 
saw  the  opposing  forces  charge  forward,  and 
they  heard  the  far-away  cries  of  the  fighters. 
Then  all  was  smothered  in  a  cloud  of  dust.  A 
few  moments  later  a  company  of  horsemen 
dashed  into  view,  wheeled,  and  charged  back 
into  the  fray.  Several  riderless  ponies  gal- 
loped across  the  plain,  and  the  lads  knew 
that  the  first  volley  of  arrows  had  been  effec- 
tive. Then  their  attention  was  attracted  to 
a  warrior  on  a  white  pony.  He  seemed  to  be 
wherever  the  fighting  was  fiercest.  Each 
moment  the  Sioux  expected  to  see  him  killed, 
but  his  very  recklessness  appeared  to  save 
him.  His  daring  manoeuvers  roused  the  lads* 
enthusiasm. 

"That  warrior  on  the  white  horse  is  a  very 
brave  man/'  said  White  Otter. 

"I  believe  he  is  a  Pawnee,"  replied  Sun 
Bird. 

At  that  moment  the  white  pony  went  down, 
and  its  daring  rider  rolled  over  the  ground. 
He  rose  to  his  feet  and  several  horsemen 
raced  toward  him.  Apparently  they  were  his 
friends,  for  he  ran  to  meet  them.  His  ene- 

134 


THE    UNKNOWN    HORSEMEN 

mies,  however,  were  quick  to  take  advantage 
of  his  distress,  and  four  riders  started  in  pur- 
suit of  him.  He  wheeled  and  brought  the  two 
foremost  horsemen  to  the  ground  with  his 
arrows.  Then  he  leaped  upon  one  of  the 
riderless  ponies  and  led  his  warriors  in  another 
reckless  charge. 

"I  believe  he  is  a  medicine-person/'  de- 
clared White  Otter  in  amazement. 

"He  fights  like  a  Sioux,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

The  sun  had  already  set,  and  the  twilight 
shadows  were  reaching  across  the  battle- 
field. As  neither  side  showed  signs  of  yield- 
ing, the  lads  believed  that  the  fight  would 
continue  until  dark.  They  saw  many  rider- 
less ponies  galloping  wildly  about  the  plain, 
and  they  knew  that  many  warriors  had  been 
killed.  Then  the  intrepid  leader  executed  a 
clever  flank  manoeuver  and  threw  his  ene- 
mies into  confusion.  In  another  moment  he 
had  surrounded  them,  and  his  warriors 
charged  furiously  from  all  sides.  A  terrific 
hand-to-hand  encounter  followed.  Then  the 
enemy  fled  in  wild  disorder,  with  the  vic- 
torious warriors  in  close  pursuit. 

The  Sioux  watched  them  vanish  over  a 
swell  of  ground  far  to  the  north.  They  dared 


THE    RED   ARROW 

not  leave  their  hiding-place,  for  they  knew 
that  the  victors  would  return  to  the  battle- 
field to  carry  off  their  dead  and  wounded. 
Just  before  dark  the  lads  saw  them  return- 
ing with  many  captured  ponies.  The  Sioux 
waited  until  the  night  was  well  advanced  and 
then  they  mounted  their  ponies  and  rode  to 
the  river.  They  believed  that  the  victors 
were  Pawnees,  and  they  determined  to  return 
to  the  scene  of  the  conflict  the  following  day 
to  learn  the  identity  of  the  vanquished  war 
party. 

"I  am  thinking  about  that  man  who  rode 
the  white  pony,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"I  believe  he  is  a  great  war-chief,"  replied 
White  Otter. 


X 

AN  ALLIANCE  WITH  THE  CHEYENNES 

EAGER  to  learn  the  identity  of  the  rival 
war  parties,  the  lads  returned  to  the 
battle-field  at  daybreak.  As  they  rode  cau- 
tiously over  the  ridge  from  which  they  had 
watched  the  conflict,  they  came  upon  the 
grim  evidences  of  the  tragedy.  The  dead 
ponies  and  the  little  company  of  lifeless  war- 
riors presented  a  depressing  spectacle.  The 
Sioux  advanced  slowly  with  bowed  heads, 
singing  the  low,  mournful  chant  which  their 
people  sang  whenever  a  war  party  returned 
with  the  bodies  of  those  killed  in  battle. 
They  had  been  taught  to  look  upon  the  dead 
with  respect  and  reverence,  and  they  per- 
formed the  solemn  ceremony  with  sincere 
emotion.  They  stopped  beside  the  first  life- 
less form  and  gazed  thoughtfully  into  the 
upturned  face. 

"  Jt  is  a  Cheyenne/'  Sun  Bird  said,  soberly. 
137 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"They  are  brave  warriors.  They  are  friends 
of  my  people.  I  am  crying  in  my  heart." 

It  was  the  first  time  White  Otter  had  seen 
these  people,  but  he  had  often  heard  his 
grandfather  speak  of  them.  He  knew  that 
they  had  smoked  the  peace-pipe  with  several 
Sioux  tribes,  and  he  looked  upon  them  as  his 
brothers. 

"This  thing  has  brought  clouds  into  my 
heart.  These  brave  men  whom  we  see  lying 
here  are  our  brothers.  We  must  know  who 
killed  them,"  replied  White  Otter. 

They  rode  silently  about  the  battle-field, 
searching  for  a  clue  to  the  identity  of  the 
-victorious  war  party,  but  all  the  dead  were 
Cheyennes.  Then  the  lads  realized  that  the 
victors  had  carried  off  their  warriors.  There- 
fore, as  they  saw  no  reason  for  lingering  at  the 
dismal  spot,  the  Sioux  turned  their  ponies 
toward  the  west  and  hurried  away.  They 
had  gone  scarcely  an  arrow-flight,  however, 
when  White  Otter  brought  the  piebald  to  a 
sudden  stop  and  pointed  toward  a  clump  of 
bushes  a  short  distance  away. 

"There  is  a  warrior  hiding  in  those  bushes. 
I  saw  his  head!"  he  cried,  excitedly. 

"We  will  see,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 


AN   ALLIANCE 

The  lads  advanced  cautiously.  Once  within 
bow-range  they  sheltered  themselves  behind 
their  ponies  and  rode  slowly  around  the 
bushes.  They  saw  no  evidence  of  any  one 
hiding  there,  however,  and  Sun  Bird  won- 
dered if  White  Otter's  sharp  eyes  had  played 
him  a  trick.  Then  something  moved.  As 
they  rode  nearer,  a  warrior  rose  to  his  knees 
and  attempted  to  shoot  an  arrow  at  them. 
He  collapsed  with  the  effort  and  fell  into  the 
bushes. 

"He  is  wounded, "  cried  Sun  Bird.  "I  be- 
lieve he  is  a  Cheyenne." 

The  lads  rode  recklessly  to  the  cover. 
As  Sun  Bird  slid  from  his  pony  the  wounded 
warrior  made  another  futile  attempt  to  de- 
fend himself.  Sun  Bird  pulled  the  bow  from 
his  hand  and  threw  him  to  the  ground. 
Then  White  Otter  dismounted  and  rushed  to 
his  friend's  assistance.  They  recognized  the 
man  as  a  Cheyenne,  and  they  attempted  to 
convince  him  that  they  had  no  desire  to  harm 
him. 

"We  are  Sioux;  we  will  help  you,"  said. 
Sun  Bird. 

It  was  evident  that  the  Cheyenne  under- 
stood the  words,  for  the  challenge  faded  from 

139 


THE   RED   ARROW 

his  eyes  and  he  ceased  to  struggle.  Then  they 
released  his  arms  and  sat  down  beside  him. 
One  of  his  legs  was  useless,  and  they  believed 
that  he  had  been  crushed  beneath  his  pony. 
For  a  few  moments  he  watched  them  in 
silence,  his  alert  eyes  noting  every  detail  of 
their  dress.  At  last  he  seemed  to  recognize 
them  and  his  face  showed  relief.  He  was  a 
young  man  of  splendid  physique,  and  the 
lads  looked  upon  him  with  pity.  He  was 
very  weak,  and  he  appeared  to  be  suffering. 
While  they  were  deciding  the  first  thing  to 
be  done,  the  Cheyenne  attempted  to  speak. 
Then  he  fell  back  in  a  swoon. 

"Come,  we  must  carry  this  man  to  the 
water/*  cried  White  Otter. 

They  lifted  him  tenderly  to  the  piebald, 
and  White  Otter  mounted  behind  him.  They 
rode  very  slowly,  for  they  realized  that  every 
jolt  increased  the  agony  of  the  man  they 
were  endeavoring  to  assist.  When  they 
reached  the  river  they  placed  him  upon  their 
buffalo  robes.  The  sound  of  the  water  seemed 
to  rouse  him  to  consciousness,  and  he  crawled 
forward  and  plunged  his  face  into  the  icy 
current.  It  revived  him,  and  he  fell  back 
upon  the  robes  with  a  sigh  of  relief.  He 

140 


AN   ALLIANCE 

closed  his  eyes,  and  the  lads  began  to  examine 
his  injured  leg.  While  they  were  at  work,  how- 
ever, he  raised  his  head  and  spoke  to  them. 

"The  Sioux  are  friends;  they  have  good 
hearts/'  he  said,  weakly. 

Overjoyed  to  find  that  he  spoke  their 
dialect,  the  lads  began  to  ply  him  with  ques- 
tions. They  learned  that  the  travelers  were 
Pawnees.  He  said  they  had  surprised  a 
party  of  Cheyennes,  killing  several  warriors 
and  running  off  a  number  of  ponies.  Then 
the  Cheyennes  organized  a  war  party  and 
pursued  them,  and  the  conflict  which  the  lads 
had  witnessed  was  the  result. 

Having  learned  this  much,  the  Sioux  asked 
him  about  the  solitary  horseman  who  had 
attempted  to  talk  with  them.  They  were 
surprised  to  learn  that  he  was  a  young 
Cheyenne  who  mistook  them  for  members  of 
his  hunting-party.  Sun  Bird  smiled  as  he 
heard  his  conclusions  verified.  They  also 
learned  that  soon  afterward  the  Pawnees 
made  their  attack,  and  the  Cheyennes  sup- 
posed that  the  two  unknown  riders  had  led 
the  war  party  on  their  trail.  Then  the  lads 
told  him  of  the  company  of  horsemen  who 
attempted  to  decoy  them  within  range. 

141 


THE    RED   ARROW 

He  said  they  were  Cheyennes.  He  was 
positive,  however,  that  the  riders  who  pur- 
sued them  the  previous  day  were  not  his 
people.  The  lads  felt  confident,  therefore, 
that  those  warriors  were  Pawnees. 

"You  have  told  the  thing  as  it  is,"  said 
White  Otter,  turning  to  Sun  Bird. 

They  asked  the  wounded  warrior  how  he 
had  escaped.  He  said  that  in  the  thick  of 
the  fight  his  pony  was  killed,  and  in  falling  it 
crushed  his  leg.  Unable  to  free  himself,  he 
feigned  death.  Then  when  the  Pawnees  rode 
away  in  pursuit  of  their  foes  he  renewed  his 
efforts.  At  last  he  succeeded,  and  crawled 
into  the  nearest  cover.  He  hid  until  his 
enemies  left  the  battle-field  with  their  dead 
and  wounded.  Then  he  made  many  futile 
attempts  to  drag  himself  to  the  river,  but  he 
found  the  task  hopeless.  At  daylight  he  saw 
the  young  Sioux,  and,  fearing  that  they  were 
Pawnees,  he  crawled  into  the  bushes  to  watch 
them. 

"  My  people  will  return  here  before  the  next 
sun  disappears,"  he  said,  confidently.  "If 
you  are  on  a  fast  journey  give  me  some  meat 
and  leave  me.  I  will  tell  the  Cheyennes  that 
the  Sioux  are  their  friends," 

143 


AN   ALLIANCE 

Although  they  realized  that  each  moment's 
delay  threatened  the  success  of  their  plans, 
the  lads  refused  to  desert  him.  They  be- 
lieved that  it  was  their  duty  to  remain  with 
him  until  his  people  arrived.  And  if  the 
Cheyennes  failed  to  appear  the  loyal  young 
Sioux  determined  to  carry  him  to  the  Chey- 
enne camp.  They  had  been  taught  to  regard 
the  bonds  of  friendship,  and  nothing  could 
have  induced  them  to  shirk  their  respon- 
sibility. 

"We  will  camp  here  until  the  next  sun 
disappears/'  said  Sun  Bird.  "You  have  said 
that  your  people  will  come.  It  is  good." 

"I  will  live  to  tell  this  thing  to  my  chil- 
dren, and  they  will  remember  that  the  Sioux 
are  their  brothers,"  replied  the  Cheyenne. 

Then  Sun  Bird  rode  away  to  watch  the 
plain  while  White  Otter  remained  with  the 
injured  warrior.  The  lad  saw  that  the  Chey- 
enne was  crippled  for  life.  The  leg  had  been 
broken,  and  there  was  little  that  the  Sioux 
could  do.  He  found  the  ends  of  the  splin- 
tered bone,  however,  and  attempted  to  bind 
them  in  place  with  strips  of  rawhide.  Then 
he  urged  the  Cheyenne  to  eat  some  broiled 
buffalo  meat. 

143 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"This  thing  will  make  me  walk  like  the 
old  men  whose  bones  are  filled  with  frost/' 
the  Cheyenne  declared,  bitterly. 

"Warriors  do  not  walk/'  White  Otter  re- 
plied, encouragingly.  "You  will  ride  your 
best  war-pony  and  kill  many  Pawnees/' 

"Your  words  bring  sunshine  into  my  heart; 
you  are  a  good  friend." 

White  Otter  asked  many  questions  about 
the  Pawnees.  He  received  much  valuable 
information,  but  the  two  things  which  he  was 
most  anxious  to  know  the  Cheyenne  was  un- 
able to  tell  him.  He  did  not  know  whether 
the  Pawnees  had  separated,  and  he  was  un- 
certain about  their  mission.  He  said  his 
people  believed  they  were  going  to  a  council. 
These  words  filled  White  Otter's  heart  with 
hope.  He  knew  that  an  important  council 
necessitated  the  building  of  a  medicine-lodge, 
and  he  believed  that  the  Red  Arrow  would 
figure  prominently  in  the  ceremonies.  It  was 
also  probable  that  Sun  Bird  would  find  his 
brother  in  the  camp. 

It  was  almost  dark  when  Sun  Bird  re- 
turned. He  said  that  he  had  seen  neither 
friend  nor  foe.  The  lads  determined,  there- 
fore, to  spend  the  night  beside  the  river. 

144 


AN   ALLIANCE 

When  they  made  known  their  plan,  however, 
the  Cheyenne  objected. 

"My  people  will  return.  It  is  dark.  They 
will  not  find  us  here;  it  is  bad,"  he  said. 

The  Sioux  instantly  saw  the  sense  of  his 
words.  They  were  not  particularly  pleased 
at  the  idea  of  spending  the  night  on  the  battle- 
field, but  they  believed  it  was  the  wisest 
thing  to  do,  and  they  agreed  to  the  plan. 
When  it  was  dark,  therefore,  they  lifted  the 
Cheyenne  upon  the  piebald  and  set  out  in 
gloomy  spirits.  They  rode  in  silence  until 
the  roan  suddenly  jumped  to  one  side  and 
snorted.  Sun  Bird  looked  down  and  saw  a 
black  object  lying  upon  the  plain.  It  was  a 
dead  pony. 

"We  are  at  the  place  where  my  brother 
expects  to  meet  his  people,"  he  said,  quietly. 

"It  is  good;  we  will  wait,"  replied  the 
Cheyenne. 

They  dismounted  and  placed  the  wounded 
warrior  upon  their  robes.  Then  they  sat 
beside  him,  staring  thoughtfully  into  the  dark. 
They  had  no  liking  for  this  dreary  place,  and 
they  were  depressed  and  ill  at  ease.  For 
a  time  they  tried  to  rouse  their  spirits  by 
talking  of  their  experiences,  but  the  conversa- 

10  145 


THE    RED   ARROW 

tion  soon  dragged  and  they  finally  subsided 
into  gloomy  silence. 

The  night  was  half  gone  when  White  Otter 
heard  something  which  brought  him  to  his 
feet.  A  moment  afterward  the  piebald  whin- 
nied. An  answer  came  out  of  the  night.  The 
lads  fitted  arrows  to  their  bows,  and  listened 
anxiously.  Then  the  Cheyenne  uttered  a 
low  cry.  A  reply  sounded  close  at  hand. 

"They  are  my  people!"  he  cried,  excitedly. 

They  heard  galloping  ponies,  and  within  a 
few  moments  several  warriors  rode  into  view. 
When  they  saw  the  Sioux  they  aimed  their 
arrows  and  warned  their  comrades.  The 
wounded  Cheyenne  cried  out  to  reassure 
them,  however,  and  they  approached.  Then 
the  entire  war  party  came  forward.  The 
Sioux  remained  silent  while  the  Cheyenne 
explained  the  situation  to  his  comrades. 
When  he  finished  speaking,  an  elderly  warrior 
advanced  and  addressed  the  lads  in  Sioux. 

"Red  Dog  has  told  me  about  you.  You 
have  helped  him.  It  is  good.  He  is  my  son; 
my  heart  is  friendly  to  you.  You  are  young 
men,  but  you  are  very  brave.  We  have  come 
here  to  take  away  our  people  who  were 
killed  by  the  Pawnees.  Then  we  will  follow 

146 


AN   ALLIANCE 

the  Pawnees  and  fight  them  again.  I  do  not 
know  where  you  are  going  or  what  you  will 
do.  I  am  ready  to  help  you.  The  Sioux  are 
my  brothers.  I  have  said  it." 

"The  warrior  who  has  spoken  to  you  is 
War  Eagle,  my  father/'  Red  Dog  said, 
proudly.  "He  is  a  great  chief,  but  he  was 
not  in  the  battle  with  the  Pawnees." 

The  lads  had  been  well  schooled  in  the  art 
of  diplomacy,  and  as  yet  they  had  said  noth- 
ing of  their  own  expedition  against  the 
Pawnees.  Red  Dog  had  asked  no  questions 
and  they  had  offered  no  information.  White 
Otter  knew,  however,  that  his  inquiries  re- 
garding the  travelers  had  given  the  Cheyenne 
a  clue,  and  he  feared  it  would  be  unwise  to 
make  a  secret  of  their  destination.  Besides, 
the  lads  believed  that  they  had  much  to  gain 
by  forming  an  alliance  with  the  Cheyennes. 
They  decided,  therefore,  to  tell  as  much  of 
their  plans  as  they  deemed  necessary. 

"I  have  listened  to  the  words  of  the  Chey- 
enne chief,"  said  Sun  Bird.  "What  he  says 
is  so;  the  Sioux  and  the  Cheyennes  are 
brothers.  I  am  crying  in  my  heart  because 
the  Pawnees  have  killed  many  brave  warriors. 
It  is  bad.  War  Eagle  has  told  me  that  the 


THE   RED   ARROW 

Cheyennes  are  going  to  fight  the  Pawnees 
again.  My  heart  is  black  against  those 
people.  They  have  captured  my  brother, 
Little  Raven.  I  have  said  I  will  rescue  him. 
I  will  go  with  my  brothers  the  Cheyennes. 
I  have  spoken  it." 

His  words  were  received  with  approval. 
Many  of  the  warriors  came  forward  to  shake 
his  hand.  Then  they  turned  to  White  Otter. 

"What  Sun  Bird  has  told  you  is  true.  My 
heart  is  friendly  to  my  brothers,  the  Chey- 
ennes. I  will  go  with  you  to  fight  our  ene- 
mies, the  Pawnees/'  he  said. 

White  Otter  had  several  reasons  for  not 
mentioning  the  Red  Arrow.  First,  because 
he  was  unwilling  to  acknowledge  that  the 
Pawnees  had  gained  possession  of  it.  Besides, 
it  was  improper  to  mention  this  sacred  med- 
icine-emblem to  any  one  but  a  Sioux.  He 
determined,  therefore,  to  keep  secret  the  real 
object  of  his  expedition  against  the  Pawnees. 

The  chief  made  a  brief  reply  in  which  he 
again  complimented  the  lads  and  promised 
to  help  them  rescue  Little  Raven.  Then  the 
Cheyennes  began  their  dismal  task.  They 
had  brought  a  number  of  extra  ponies  to 
carry  the  dead  warriors.  When  the  bodies 

148 


AN   ALLIANCE 

had  been  securely  lashed  on  these  horses 
War  Eagle  selected  ten  men  to  escort  them 
to  the  Cheyenne  village.  They  started  away 
at  once,  and  Red  Dog  went  with  them. 

"  You  have  saved  my  life.  I  will  remember 
this  thing.  I  will  tell  my  children  about 
you,"  he  cried  to  the  lads  as  he  rode  away. 

"  There  goes  a  brave  man,"  said  White 
Otter. 

After  the  little  procession  had  filed  away 
into  the  night  the  Cheyenne  chief  led  his 
warriors  to  the  river.  They  had  ridden  far 
and  fast,  and  they  threw  themselves  upon  the 
ground  to  rest  until  daylight.  The  lads 
rolled  themselves  in  their  buffalo  robes  and 
tried  to  sleep,  but  their  minds  were  filled 
with  thoughts  of  the  approaching  battle,  and 
they  remained  awake  through  most  of  the 
night. 


XI 

ON  THE  TRAIL  OF  THE  PAWNEES 

A?  dawn  War  Eagle  called  a  council,  and 
the  Sioux  were  invited  to  take  seats  in 
the  council  circle.  As  they  were  unfamiliar 
with  the  Cheyenne  dialect  a  young  warrior 
who  spoke  Sioux  acted  as  interpreter.  Their 
hearts  filled  with  pride,  for  it  was  -their  first 
formal  recognition  as  warriors.  The  Chey- 
ennes  made  a  striking  appearance.  They 
had  daubed  their  faces  and  the  upper  portion 
of  their  bodies  with  yellow  clay  from  the 
banks  of  the  river,  and  the  lads  looked  upon 
them  with  approval.  They  had  much  con- 
fidence in  these  tall,  sinewy  warriors,  and  they 
believed  they  would  be  victorious. 
.  "To-day  we  go  to  fight  our  enemies,  the 
Pawnees,"  said  War  Eagle.  "It  is  good. 
They  have  killed  our  warriors  and  stolen  our 
ponies.  They  call  us  women.  They  have 
turned  our  hearts  black  with  anger.  We  will 

150 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

show  our  friends,  the  Sioux,  that  we  are 
brave.  Their  brother  is  in  the  Pawnee 
camp — we  will  rescue  him.  I  will  ask  you 
to  be  men.  I  have  finished." 

Having  concluded  his  talk,  the  Cheyenne 
chief  selected  four  scouts  to  ride  ahead  of 
the  war  party  and  look  for  the  Pawnees. 
When  they  had  received  their  instructions 
these  warriors  mounted  their  ponies  and 
galloped  away.  A  few  moments  afterward 
the  main  company  of  horsemen  started  slowly 
across  the  plain.  They  made  an  impressive 
spectacle.  At  the  head  rode  the  venerable 
Cheyenne  chief,  a  striking  figure  in  his  waving 
war-bonnet  of  eagle  feathers.  Then  came  the 
warriors,  riding  two  and  two,  stern,  fearless- 
looking  men,  most  of  them  in  the  very  prime 
of  life.  As  they  rode  they  chanted  their 
war-songs,  and  the  young  Sioux  felt  the  hot 
fighting  blood  surge  through  their  veins  at 
the  sound.  They  realized  that  the  adventure 
might  end  in  death,  and  the  thought  made 
them  serious. 

"  We  must  be  men,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"We  are  Sioux,"  replied  White  Otter. 

They  saw  nothing  of  the  scouts  until  some 
time  past  midday,  and  then  one  of  them  ap- 


THE    RED   ARROW 

peared  on  the  summit  of  a  low  ridge  to  the 
north.  The  Cheyennes  stopped  as  he  gal- 
loped across  the  plain  to  meet  them. 

"It  is  Painted  Weasel;  he  has  seen  some- 
thing," they  told  one  another  as  the  horseman 
drew  near. 

Painted  Weasel  said  that  he  had  discovered 
smoke  rising  above  a  line  of  trees  far  away  to 
the  north.  At  first  he  believed  it  to  be  a 
signal,  but  after  watching  it  some  time  he 
became  convinced  that  it  rose  from  a  camp. 
While  he  was  talking  another  horseman  ap- 
peared from  the  west. 

"It  is  Running  Crow;  he  brings  news," 
said  the  Cheyennes. 

"We  will  hear  what  he  says;  perhaps  he 
has  seen  this  thing,"  replied  Painted  Weasel. 

Running  Crow  had  learned  much  from  the 
trail  of  the  Pawnees.  He  said  the  warriors 
had  overtaken  the  women  and  children  some 
distance  to  the  west.  Then  they  turned 
toward  the  north.  Soon  afterward  he  saw  a 
new  trail  from  the  west.  These  people  had 
turned  to  follow  their  predecessors.  Run- 
ning Crow  said  there  were  no  marks  of  travois- 
poles  in  the  second  trail,  and  he  believed  that 
the  travelers  were  warriors. 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

A  few  moments  later  the  two  remaining 
scouts  arrived  from  the  south.  They  had 
seen  nothing  of  their  enemies. 

The  Cheyennes  halted  to  hold  a  council  of 
war.  War  Eagle  said  that  he  believed  the 
smoke  which  Painted  Weasel  had  seen 
marked  a  great  Pawnee  camp.  He  told  his 
warriors  that  the  company  of  horsemen 
whose  trail  had  been  found  by  Running 
Crow  were  undoubtedly  a  party  of  warriors 
who  had  detached  themselves  from  a  still 
larger  company  to  look  for  the  trail  of  their 
tribesmen. 

Then  the  oldest  member  of  the  war  party 
rose  to  speak.  His  dress  and  his  manner 
convinced  the  Sioux  that  he  was  a  medicine- 
man. He  turned  his  face  toward  the  sky, 
and  stood  a  moment  or  two  with  closed  eyes. 
The  Cheyennes  watched  him  with  much 
interest,  and  it  was  evident  that  he  was  one 
whose  opinion  carried  weight. 

"My  heart  tells  me  that  all  the  Pawnees 
are  gathering  for  a  big  talk.  I  see  many 
lodges,  many  women  and  children,  many 
warriors.  It  is  bad,"  he  said,  solemnly. 

The  lads  wondered  whether  he  would  per- 
suade his  people  to  turn  back.  They  studied 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  grim  faces  of  the  warriors.  What  they 
saw  reassured  them.  They  believed  that, 
having  made  their  boast,  the  Cheyennes  were 
prepared  to  carry  it  through  at  any  cost. 

1  'Are  the  Cheyennes  like  the  antelope, 
which  flee  at  the  sight  of  many  lodges?" 
asked  a  great,  broad-shouldered  warrior  who 
wore  a  splendid  head-dress  of  eagle  feathers. 

"We  have  come  to  avenge  our  dead 
brothers,"  declared  another  warrior.  "We 
must  go  on." 

Then  they  turned  their  eyes  upon  the  great 
war-chief  who  had  led  them  to  so  many  hard- 
earned  victories.  War  Eagle  rose  to  his  feet 
and  walked  slowly  into  the  center  of  the 
circle.  Although  he  had  seen  the  snows  of 
more  than  sixty  winters,  he  was  as  straight  and 
apparently  as  vigorous  as  any  man  in  the  war 
party.  The  Sioux  found  their  hearts  filling 
with  admiration  as  they  gazed  upon  him. 
They  were  proud  to  be  in  his  company. 

"Warriors  of  the  great  Cheyenne  nation, 
you  have  heard  what  has  been  said.  I  have 
told  you  what  is  in  my  mind.  Laughing 
Bear,  the  medicine-man,  has  told  you  that 
there  is  danger.  It  is  so.  Is  a  Cheyenne 
afraid  to  die?  Then  let  him  turn  back.  I 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

have  been  with  you  in  many  battles.  Have 
you  seen  me  run?  I  have  said  I  will  go  to 
fight  my  enemies,  the  Pawnees.  War  Eagle 
does  not  turn  around.  I  will  keep  my  word 
to  my  young  brothers,  the  Sioux.  I  have 
spoken." 

The  Cheyennes  nodded  approval  to  the 
words  of  their  chief.  Their  eyes  flashed  the 
pride  which  his  talk  had  inspired.  There 
was  not  one  among  them  who  was  not  pre- 
pared to  follow  him  into  the  Pawnee  camp. 
These  fearless  warriors  were  giving  a  splendid 
exhibition  of  courage  and  loyalty,  and  the 
young  Sioux  were  much  impressed. 

"War  Eagle  is  a  great  chief  and  a  brave 
warrior.  His  words  are  good.  I  have  said  I 
see  many  warriors.  It  is  so.  But  I  am  a 
Cheyenne.  I  have  fought  in  many  battles. 
I  do  not  run  from  danger.  I  will  go  to  fight 
our  enemies,  the  Pawnees, "  said  the  medicine- 
man. 

War  Eagle  sent  Painted  Weasel  and  Run- 
ning Crow  to  locate  the  Pawnee  camp  and 
learn  the  fighting  strength  of  their  foes. 
Then,  with  scouts  riding  far  in  advance  and 
on  either  flank,  the  war  party  set  out  toward 
the  north.  They  continued  to  ride  until 


THE   RED   ARROW 

sunset,  and  then  they  camped  in  a  little 
patch  of  timber  beside  a  stream. 

That  night  they  made  no  fires.  The  ponies 
were  tied  in  the  timber,  and  the  camp  was 
protected  by  a  circle  of  sharp-eared  sentinels. 
The  Cheyennes  sat  close  together,  talking  in 
low,  guarded  undertones,  and  the  lads  be- 
lieved that  they  feared  an  attack.  They 
wondered  what  had  become  of  the  two  daring 
scouts  who  had  ridden  into  the  north.  As 
the  Cheyennes  showed  no  concern  about 
them,  the  Sioux  believed  they  did  not  expect 
them  before  daylight. 

At  sunrise  Painted  Weasel  returned.  He 
said  he  had  left  Running  Crow  to  watch  the 
Pawnees. 

"We  have  found  our  enemies,"  he  de- 
clared. "The  words  of  Laughing  Bear  are 
true.  We  saw  many  lodges,  many  women  and 
children,  and  many  warriors." 

Painted  Weasel  told  the  Cheyennes  that 
the  great  Pawnee  camp  was  a  full  day's 
journey  away.  He  said  it  would  be  folly  to 
attempt  to  approach  it  in  daylight,  as  they 
would  be  compelled  to  expose  themselves  on 
the  open  plain.  He  warned  his  people  that 
they  were  outnumbered  four  to  one,  and  he 

156 


ON  THE   TRAIL 

urged  them  to  be  cautious.  Then  he  told 
them  that  a  half-day's  travel  to  the  north 
they  would  find  another  stream  whose  banks 
were  clothed  with  a  dense  growth  of  cotton- 
woods.  He  advised  the  war  party  to  wait 
there  until  he  brought  them  the  word  to 
advance. 

"I  have  listened  to  the  words  of  Painted 
Weasel.  We  will  do  as  he  says,"  declared 
War  Eagle. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  the  Cheyennes 
crossed  the  stream  and  went  into  hiding. 
They  had  scarcely  picketed  the  ponies  and 
posted  their  sentinels  when  they  saw  two 
riders  racing  wildly  toward  them.  As  the 
horsemen  came  nearer,  the  Cheyennes  recog- 
nized them  as  Painted  Weasel  and  his  com- 
panion. They  realized  at  once  that  some- 
thing was  wrong  and  they  watched  them 
with  grave  concern. 

"The  Pawnees  are  coming!"  cried  Painted 
Weasel,  as  he  came  within  hearing. 

As  the  scouts  rode  their  sweating  ponies 
into  the  timber  the  Cheyennes  crowded 
around  them  to  learn  what  had  happened. 
Running  Crow  said  that  shortly  after  Painted 
Weasel  had  gone  a  solitary  horseman  rode 

157 


THE   RED   ARROW 

into  the  camp  from  the  south.  His  arrival 
seemed  to  throw  the  Pawnees  into  a  state  of 
great  excitement.  Running  Crow  heard  them 
shouting  and  beating  the  war-drums  and  he 
believed  that  the  messenger  had  brought 
news  of  great  importance.  Then  the  camp 
quieted  down,  and  it  was  evident  that  the 
Pawnees  were  holding  a  council.  Running 
Crow  became  suspicious.  He  wondered 
whether  the  lone  horseman  had  discovered 
the  Cheyenne  war  party.  A  short  time  after- 
ward he  saw  the  boys  and  young  men  round- 
ing up  the  ponies,  and  he  feared  that  his  sus- 
picions were  true.  He  waited  until  he  saw  a 
great  company  of  mounted  warriors  leave 
the  camp  and  ride  away  toward  the  south. 
Then  he  sprang  upon  his  pony  and  raced 
away  at  top  speed  to  tell  his  people.  Soon 
after  he  had  passed  from  sight  of  the  camp  he 
met  Painted  Weasel  and  told  him  what  had 
happened.  They  decided  that  the  wisest 
thing  was  to  make  all  speed  to  warn  the 
Cheyennes  of  the  approaching  Pawnee  war 
party. 

"It  is  good,"  declared  War  Eagle,  when  the 
scouts  had  told  their  story.     "The  Pawnees 
coining  to  fight  us;  we  will  wait  for  them, 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

They  have  called  us  women.  Listen  to  those 
words,  Cheyenne  warriors.  Think  about  them. 
When  you  go  out  to  meet  the  boastful 
Pawnees  remember  this  thing/* 

Having  inflamed  the  hearts  of  his  warriors 
against  their  foes,  the  Cheyenne  chief  made 
preparations  for  the  battle.  He  despatched 
several  scouts  to  watch  for  the  Pawnees,  and 
then  he  led  his  war  party  across  the  stream 
and  took  up  his  position  in  the  timber.  It 
was  a  clever  bit  of  stratagem,  which  placed  a 
perilous  barrier  in  the  way  of  his  enemies. 
To  drive  him  from  cover,  they  would  be 
compelled  to  expose  themselves  in  the  open 
at  a  great  disadvantage  while  the  Cheyennes 
could  shoot  them  down  from  the  protection  of 
the  trees. 

The  warriors  were  chanting  their  war- 
songs  and  making  all  manner  of  boastful 
threats  against  their  enemies.  Their  eager- 
ness to  fight  made  it  evident  that  the  en- 
counter would  be  a  fierce  one.  The  Sioux 
watched  them  in  thoughtful  silence.  Hav- 
ing failed  to  reach  the  hostile  camp,  they 
realized  that  their  alliance  with  the  war 
party  was  of  no  advantage.  They  had  noth- 
ing to  gain  and  everything  to  lose  by  fighting 

159 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  Pawnees.  Having  pledged  themselves 
to  their  allies,  however,  they  saw  no  way  of 
withdrawing  from  the  conflict. 

"This  thing  has  filled  my  heart  with 
clouds,  for  now  I  know  we  will  not  find  Little 
Raven,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"If  we  live  through  the  battle  we  must  find 
the  Pawnee  camp.  I  will  not  turn  back  until 
I  have  found  the  Red  Arrow,"  White  Otter 
declared,  resolutely. 

As  twilight  settled  over  the  plain  and  they 
saw  nothing  of  their  foes  the  Cheyennes 
became  impatient.  Some  of  the  younger 
warriors  wished  to  cross  the  stream  and  ride 
out  upon  the  plain  to  reconnoiter,  but  War 
Eagle  disapproved,  and  urged  them  to  wait 
until  the  scouts  brought  word  of  the  Pawnees. 
It  was  almost  dark  when  they  finally  saw  a 
warrior  riding  toward  the  stream. 

"It  is  Red  Crane,"  said  War  Eagle.  "He 
will  tell  us  about  our  enemies." 

Red  Crane  said  that  the  Pawnee  war  party 
had  just  appeared,  far  to  the  west.  He  told 
the  Cheyennes  that  the  Pawnees  had  stopped 
in  a  little  patch  of  trees,  and  that  a  small 
company  of  scouts  were  riding  cautiously 
toward  the  stream. 

160 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

''Painted  Weasel  has  spoken  the  truth, " 
declared  the  scout.  "  It  is  a  great  war  party. 
One  Cheyenne  will  fight  four  Pawnees." 

The  Cheyennes  showed  no  concern  at  his 
announcement.  It  was  evident  that  they 
were  prepared  to  fight  against  any  odds. 
Their  calm  defiance  gained  the  sincere  respect 
of  the  young  Sioux.  They  believed  that, 
rather  than  yield,  these  stern  warriors  would 
fight  to  the  death,  and  the  thought  thrilled 
them. 

"The  Cheyennes  are  brave,"  said  White 
Otter. 

"I  have  heard  my  people  say  it,"  replied 
Sun  Bird. 

Having  learned  the  manoeuvers  of  his  foes, 
War  Eagle  planned  to  outwit  them.  He 
believed  that  the  Pawnee  scouts  would  follow 
the  stream  until  they  found  the  place  where 
the  Cheyennes  had  crossed,  and  he  sent  a 
small  company  of  warriors  to  surprise  them. 
These  men,  all  of  them  crafty  veterans  of  the 
war-trail,  waded  across  the  stream  and  van- 
ished into  the  timber  on  the  opposite  shore. 

Soon  afterward  darkness  fell,  and  the 
Cheyennes  became  alert  and  watchful.  They 
concealed  themselves  in  the  bushes  at  the 

«  161 


THE    RED   ARROW 

edge  of  the  water  and  listened  anxiously. 
Fearful  that  the  Pawnees  might  elude  his 
warriors  and  cross  the  water  either  above  or 
below  him,  War  Eagle  despatched  Painted 
Weasel  and  another  warrior  to  patrol  the 
stream.  Then  he  waited  patiently  for  word 
from  his  scouts. 

"See,  a  rider  is  crossing  the  stream, " 
whispered  Sun  Bird,  as  he  and  White  Otter 
lay  behind  a  fallen  tree  and  watched  the  wide 
lane  of  starlit  water. 

"It  is  one  of  the  scouts, "  replied  White 
Otter. 

A  few  moments  later  the  horseman  rode 
his  panting  pony  into  the  timber,  and  the 
Cheyennes  gathered  to  hear  what  he  had  to 
say.  He  told  them  that  the  entire  war 
party  was  moving  slowly  toward  the  stream. 
He  had  seen  nothing  of  the  warriors  who  had 
crossed  the  water,  but  he  had  heard  an  owl 
hooting  somewhere  in  the  timber,  and  the 
Cheyennes  believed  it  was  a  signal. 
>  Then  they  heard  a  ringing  shout  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  stream.  It  was  followed 
by  an  outburst  of  wild  yells.  Realizing  that 
the  Pawnees  had  entered  the  timber,  the 
Cheyennes  rushed  to  the  edge  of  the  water. 

162 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

They  saw  the  little  company  of  scouts  fight- 
ing their  way  across  the  stream.  The  Paw- 
nees attempted  to  follow  them,  but  War 
Eagle  led  his  warriors  into  the  water  and 
drove  them  back.  The  young  Sioux  fought 
valiantly,  and  when  they  regained  the  timber 
the  Cheyenne  chief  complimented  them  for 
their  bravery. 

For  some  time  afterward  the  Pawnees  con- 
tented themselves  with  chanting  their  war- 
songs  and  shouting  threats  and  insults  at 
their  foes.  The  Cheyennes  laughed  at  them 
and  dared  them  to  cross  the  water.  Then 
the  mounted  scouts  returned.  They  had 
crossed  the  stream  far  below.  They  said 
that  the  Pawnee  war  party  had  divided  and 
that  a  large  company  of  warriors  had  turned 
toward  the  west. 

"It  is  bad/'  said  War  Eagle.  "They  will 
cross  the  stream  above  us." 

Some  time  later  Painted  Weasel  brought 
word  of  this  company  of  horsemen.  He  said 
they  had  crossed  the  stream  far  to  the  west, 
and  had  ridden  away  toward  the  south. 

"What  I  said  has  come  true/'  War  Eagle 
declared,  solemnly.  "They  will  circle,  and 
come  up  behind  us/' 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Posting  guards  at  the  edge  of  the  water  to 
watch  the  Pawnees,  the  Cheyenne  chief  called 
a  council  of  war.  He  told  his  warriors  that 
there  were  two  things  to  do.  The  first  was 
to  remain  in  the  timber  and  the  other  was  to 
retreat  to  the  open  plain.  He  said  that  in 
either  case  they  might  be  sure  of  being  at- 
tacked at  daylight.  As  the  Pawnees  greatly 
outnumbered  them,  War  Eagle  was  in  favor 
of  holding  their  position  in  the  timber. 

"I  have  listened  to  the  words  of  the  great 
Cheyenne  chief.  He  speaks  with  wisdom. 
We  must  fight  the  Pawnees.  If  we  meet 
them  on  the  plain  they  will  ride  around  us 
and  kill  many  of  our  warriors.  If  we  stay 
where  we  are  they  cannot  ride  around  us. 
It  is  hard  to  kill  a  bear  in  its  den.  The  trees 
are  our  friends;  we  will  stay  here.  I  have 
told  you  what  is  in  my  heart,"  said  Laughing 
Bear. 

The  Cheyennes  were  unanimously  in  favor 
of  the  plan.  They  realized  the  advantage  of 
fighting  from  cover,  and  they  believed  it  was 
the  only  way  of  counterbalancing  the  odds 
against  them.  Having  decided  to  retain  their 
position,  therefore,  they  waited  calmly  for 
the  Pawnees  to  begin  their  attack.  The 

164 


ON   THE   TRAIL 

latter,  however,  had  subsided  into  silence,  and 
the  Cheyennes  believed  that  they  were  await- 
ing a  signal  from  the  war  party  on  the  plain. 

At  last,  far  away  to  the  south,  they  heard 
the  cry  of  a  coyote.  It  was  answered  from 
the  opposite  side  of  the  stream,  and  the 
Cheyennes  laughed  bitterly.  A  moment  later 
they  sent  their  war-cry  ringing  through  the 
night;  a  bold  defiance  to  their  foes.  Then 
all  was  still,  and  they  knew  that  the  Pawnees 
were  waiting  for  daylight. 

"My  heart  tells  me  that  this  will  be  a  great 
battle,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"We  must  be  very  brave, "  declared  White 
Otter. 


XII 

THE    BATTLE 

THE  night  finally  passed,  and  the  first  gray 
hint  of  dawn  spread  slowly  across  the 
eastern  sky.  Still  the  Pawnees  made  no  move. 
The  Cheyennes  were  perplexed.  They  had 
expected  an  attack  at  daylight,  and  they  were 
at  a  loss  to  explain  the  delay.  Having  nerved 
themselves  for  battle,  they  were  anxious  to 
begin  the  fight.  Then  the  light  strengthened 
and  their  suspense  was  ended,  for  they  saw  a 
long  line  of  Pawnee  horsemen  riding  slowly 
toward  the  cottonwoods. 

"It  is  good;  the  Pawnees  are  coming, "  said 
War  Eagle.  "We  will  show  them  how  to 
fight." 

Believing  that  the  two  Pawnee  war  parties 
would  attack  simultaneously,  the  crafty  Chey- 
enne chief  divided  his  force  to  repel  them.  He 
stationed  some  of  his  warriors  along  the  stream 
to  prevent  the  Pawnees  from  crossing,  and 

166 


THE    BATTLE 

posted  others  in  the  timber  to  resist  the  horse- 
men. The  young  Sioux  were  assigned  to  the 
latter  command.  Sheltering  themselves  be- 
hind trees,  the  lads  fitted  arrows  to  their  bows 
and  waited  with  the  calmness  of  seasoned 
veterans. 

Having  halted  beyond  arrow-range,  the 
horsemen  were  singing  their  war-songs  and 
shouting  taunts  and  insults  at  their  foes.  They 
called  the  Cheyennes  women  and  dared  them 
to  come  out  and  fight.  Then,  having  roused 
themselves  to  a  frenzy,  they  raised  their  voices 
in  the  Pawnee  war-cry,  and  charged  forward 
at  the  top  speed  of  their  ponies.  At  the  same 
instant  their  companions  left  their  horses  in 
the  timber  and  attempted  to  fight  their  way 
across  the  stream. 

Assailed  from  front  and  rear,  the  Cheyennes 
fought  with  great  fury,  and  the  Pawnees 
recoiled  before  the  stubborn  resistance.  Both 
war  parties  were  driven  back  with  loss,  while 
the  Cheyennes  passed  through  the  encounter 
without  losing  a  man. 

It  was  only  a  few  moments,  however,  before 
the  horsemen  wheeled  and  made  another  at- 
tack. As  they  came  within  bow-shot  they  dis- 
appeared behind  their  horses  and  raced  past, 

167 


THE    RED   ARROW 

shooting  their  arrows  from  beneath  the  necks 
of  their  ponies.  One  warrior,  more  reckless 
than  his  companions,  rode  to  the  very  edge  of 
the  timber,  and  killed  a  Cheyenne.  As  he 
raced  away  unharmed  the  Sioux  recognized 
him  as  the  intrepid  leader  who  rode  the  white 
war-pony  in  the  previous  battle  with  the 
Cheyennes. 

"  There  is  the  bravest  warrior  in  the  Pawnee 
tribe/'  declared  White  Otter. 

"I  believe  he  will  be  killed/'  replied  Sun 
Bird. 

In  the  mean  time  the  second  war  party  had 
made  another  attempt  to  cross  the  stream. 
The  Cheyennes  stopped  them  before  they  got 
half-way  across,  however,  and  they  retreated 
in  wild  disorder.  Encouraged  by  their  success, 
some  of  the  Cheyennes  rushed  recklessly  into 
the  water,  and  two  were  killed,  as  the  Pawnees 
turned  and  drove  them  back  to  cover. 

Then  the  Pawnees  became  more  cautious. 
They  realized  that  their  superiority  in  num- 
bers was  of  slight  advantage  while  their  foes 
held  their  position  in  the  timber.  It  was 
evident  that  they  could  not  dislodge  the 
Cheyennes  without  suffering  heavy  loss,  and 
they  were  unwilling  to  make  the  sacrifice. 
168 


THE    BATTLE 

They  determined,  therefore,  to  wait  until 
dark,  when  they  hoped  to  steal  into  the 
timber  and  overwhelm  their  enemies  in  a 
reckless  hand-to-hand  conflict. 

The  Cheyennes  watched  the  Pawnee  horse- 
men with  much  interest.  They  knew  that 
they  were  holding  a  council,  and  they  won- 
dered what  the  result  would  be.  Then  they 
saw  a  warrior  detach  himself  from  the  com- 
pany and  ride  away  toward  the  south. 

"Now  I  know  this  thing, "  said  War  Eagle. 
"That  rider  will  circle,  and  cross  the  stream. 
I  believe  he  is  going  to  talk  with  his  brothers. 
It  is  good;  we  will  watch  for  him." 

Feeling  sure  of  his  conclusion,  the  Cheyenne 
chief  despatched  four  scouts  to  intercept  the 
Pawnee  rider.  They  hurried  away  on  foot, 
two  toward  the  west  and  two  toward  the  east. 
Then  the  Cheyennes  composed  themselves  to 
await  the  next  move  of  their  enemies. 

The  day  was  more  than  half  gone  when  the 
warriors  on  guard  at  the  edge  of  the  water 
called  the  attention  of  their  comrades  to  a 
column  of  smoke  rising  above  the  trees  on  the 
opposite  shore.  They  looked  upon  it  with 
concern,  for  they  believed  that  the  Pawnee 
rider  had  eluded  their  scouts  and  delivered 

169 


THE    RED   ARROW 

his  message.  The  Cheyennes  felt  sure  that 
the  smoke  signal  was  a  reply. 

"It  is  bad,"  said  Laughing  Bear. 

The  smoke  had  already  attracted  the  at- 
tention of  the  horsemen.  They  were  watch- 
ing it  closely,  and  the  Cheyennes  believed  that 
it  conveyed  a  message  of  great  importance. 
When  the  signal  finally  faded  against  the  sky 
one  of  the  Pawnees  rode  almost  within  arrow- 
range  of  the  trees.  Then  he  stopped  and  imi- 
tated the  howl  of  the  great  gray  wolf.  As  the 
long,  piercing  wail  echoed  across  the  plain  a 
mighty  shout  rose  from  the  opposite  side  of  the 
stream. 

"The  Pawnees  have  talked  together.  We 
must  be  as  watchful  as  the  fox,"  said  War 
Eagle. 

As  the  horsemen  showed  no  inclination  to 
renew  the  fight,  the  Cheyennes  grew  suspicious. 
They  wondered  whether  the  Pawnees  were 
planning  to  combine  their  forces.  Perhaps  the 
warriors  on  the  other  side  of  the  stream  would 
abandon  their  position  and  join  their  compan- 
ions on  the  plain.  While  the  Cheyennes  were 
discussing  the  possibility  one  of  the  scouts  re- 
turned from  the  west.  He  said  the  Pawnee 
rider  had  reached  the  stream  ahead  of  them 

170 


THE    BATTLE 

and  had  crossed  to  the  other  side.  As  yet  he 
had  not  returned. 

"My  heart  tells  me  that  the  Pawnees  will 
wait  until  it  is  dark/'  said  Sun  Bird. 

"I  believe  what  you  say  is  true,"  agreed 
White  Otter. 

As  the  day  wore  on  and  the  Pawnees  showed 
no  further  signs  of  activity  the  Cheyennes 
called  upon  their  chief  to  lead  them  against 
their  foes.  War  Eagle,  however,  was  unwill- 
ing to  risk  a  battle  in  the  open,  and  he  urged 
his  warriors  to  remain  in  the  timber,  warning 
them  that  the  Pawnees  would  probably  renew 
the  fight  with  increased  fury  at  dark. 

Then  Laughing  Bear  rode  recklessly  out 
upon  the  plain.  Raising  his  voice  in  the  ring- 
ing battle-cry  of  his  people,  he  raced  his  pony 
straight  toward  the  group  of  Pawnee  horse- 
men. As  he  approached,  the  warrior  whom 
the  Sioux  had  recognized  jumped  upon  his 
horse  and  galloped  to  meet  him.  The  rival 
war  parties  watched  them  in  silence.  The  two 
warriors  approached  each  other  at  reckless 
speed,  and,  once  within  range,  they  began  to 
discharge  their  arrows.  Both  escaped  the 
first  volley,  but  at  the  next  exchange  the 
Pawnee  raised  his  hands  above  his  head  and 

171 


THE   RED   ARROW 

fell  to  the  ground.  Whooping  exultantly, 
Laughing  Bear  jumped  from  his  pony  to  count 
coup  upon  his  vanquished  foe.  Before  he 
reached  him,  however,  the  Pawnees  charged 
forward  to  avenge  the  death  of  their  comrade. 

As  Laughing  Bear  galloped  toward  the  tim- 
ber War  Eagle  and  half  of  his  warriors  raced 
across  the  plain  to  rescue  him.  They  were  out- 
numbered two  to  one,  but  the  heroism  of  the 
medicine-man  had  filled  their  hearts  with 
courage  and  they  scorned  the  odds.  Laughing 
Bear  crouched  low  on  his  pony's  back  and  the 
excited  Pawnees  were  unable  to  hit  him.  Then 
they  began  to  shoot  at  his  horse.  He  was  al- 
most within  reach  of  his  friends  when  the  pony 
was  killed  and  the  daring  Cheyenne  was 
thrown  heavily  to  the  ground. 

As  the  stricken  horse  plunged  to  the  plain 
the  Sioux  lashed  their  ponies  to  a  frantic 
burst  of  speed  and  raced  toward  the  uncon- 
scious medicine-man.  When  they  reached 
him  the  Pawnees  were  almost  upon  them. 
There  was  no  time  to  carry  him  away  and 
their  only  hope  was  to  hold  off  their  foes  un- 
til the  Cheyennes  came  to  their  assistance. 
Fighting  from  behind  their  ponies,  which  had 
already  been  killed,  the  lads  held  the  Pawnees 

172 


THE    BATTLE 

at  bay  until  the  Cheyennes  gathered  around 
them.  The  encounter  was  a  fierce  one,  and 
both  sides  lost  heavily.  It  was  not  long  be- 
fore the  Sioux  secured  new  mounts,  and  then 
they  plunged  into  the  thick  of  the  fight. 
Shouting  the  war-cry  of  their  people,  they 
fought  with  a  skill  and  fury  which  astounded 
their  enemies  and  gained  the  admiration  of 
their  allies.  Overpowered  by  force  of  num- 
bers, the  Cheyennes  were  compelled  to  retreat, 
but  the  Pawnees  were  slow  to  follow  up  their 
advantage  and  War  Eagle  and  his  warriors 
reached  the  timber  in  safety. 

The  lads  were  highly  praised  by  the  Chey- 
ennes. Each  member  of  the  war  party  made 
an  appropriate  speech,  which  was  translated 
into  Sioux  by  the  young  warrior  who  acted  as 
interpreter. 

"You  have  saved  my  life.  I  will  remember 
this  thing/'  said  Laughing  Bear,  as  he  offered 
his  hand. 

"I  have  seen  many  brave  warriors.  There 
are  none  braver  than  the  Sioux/'  declared 
War  Eagle. 

The  Sioux  missed  many  familiar  faces,  and 
they  realized  that  the  Cheyennes  had  paid 
dearly  for  Laughing  Bear's  foolhardy  exhi- 

173 


THE    RED   ARROW 

bition  of  courage.  At  least  a  third  of  the 
gallant  company  who  rode  from  the  timber 
had  been  killed  or  wounded,  and  the  Chey- 
ennes  were  gloomy  and  depressed. 

"What  I  said  about  that  fearless  warrior 
who  rode  the  white  horse  has  come  true," 
declared  Sun  Bird. 

"It  is  so.  He  was  our  enemy,  but  he  was 
very  brave,"  replied  White  Otter. 

The  day  passed  without  further  fighting, 
and,  as  twilight  settled  upon  the  plain  and  the 
Pawnees  showed  no  signs  of  withdrawing,  the 
Cheyennes  felt  sure  they  were  waiting  to  make 
their  final  assault  under  cover  of  the  night. 
War  Eagle  believed  that  soon  after  dark  the 
Pawnees  on  the  other  side  of  the  stream  would 
make  a  wide  detour  and  cross  the  water.  He 
saw  no  way  to  prevent  the  manceuver,  for  he 
realized  that  even  if  he  posted  half  of  his  force 
along  the  stream  the  warriors  would  be  too  far 
apart  to  offer  an  effective  resistance.  He  de- 
cided, therefore,  to  outflank  his  foes  by  leading 
his  own  force  across  the  stream  as  soon  as  he 
learned  that  the  Pawnees  had  abandoned  their 
position.  Having  decided  upon  this  plan,  he 
sent  Painted  Weasel  to  spy  upon  the  enemy. 

"War  Eagle  is  a  wise  leader,  but  I  believe 
J74 


THE    BATTLE 

we  are  in  great  danger,"  said  White  Otter,  as 
the  lads  watched  at  the  edge  of  the  plain. 

"I  am  thinking  about  this  thing,"  replied 
Sun  Bird.  "If  the  Cheyennes  are  defeated 
we  must  save  ourselves." 

The  Sioux  feared  that  the  Pawnees  might 
surprise  and  overpower  the  Cheyennes,  and  the 
possibility  caused  them  much  concern.  Hav- 
ing escaped  death  in  two  fiercely  fought  en- 
counters, they  believed  that  it  w£uld  be  fool- 
hardy to  sacrifice  their  lives  in  another  vain 
display  of  bravery.  They  had  fearlessly 
proved  their  loyalty  to  their  allies,  and  they 
felt  that  it  was  now  proper  to  consider  them- 
selves. As  each  had  given  a  solemn  promise 
to  redeem  the  honor  of  his  tribe,  the  lads  be- 
lieved that  their  first  duty  was  to  their  own 
people.  They  determined,  therefore,  to  take 
no  more  unnecessary  risks. 

The  night  was  well  advanced  when  Painted 
Weasel  returned  and  said  that  the  Pawnees 
had  divided  into  two  companies.  One  party 
of  horsemen  had  ridden  cautiously  toward  the 
west,  the  other  toward  the  east. 

"They  will  cross  the  stream  at  two  places," 
said  War  Eagle.  "We  must  fool  them." 

He  waited  until  he  believed  that  his  enemies 


THE    RED   ARROW 

were  far  out  of  hearing,  and  then  he  told  his 
warriors  to  mount  their  ponies  and  follow  him 
across  the  stream.  The  scouts  whom  he  had 
sent  out  earlier  in  the  day  had  already  re- 
turned, and  the  entire  war  party  rode  cau- 
tiously into  the  water.  They  had  almost 
reached  the  opposite  shore  when  the  Pawnee 
war-cry  rang  out  at  the  edge  of  the  timber  and 
a  shower  of  arrows  hummed  their  way  through 
the  night. 

Having  seen  Painted  Weasel  cross  the 
stream,  the  wily  Pawnees  had  determined  to 
make  him  the  means  of  luring  his  people  into 
ambush.  They  had  waited  until  they  felt  sure 
he  was  watching  them,  and  then  they  had  di- 
vided and  ridden  away  with  the  apparent  in- 
tention of  crossing  the  water  and  joining  their 
companions.  Then  when  the  Cheyenne  had 
hurried  across  the  stream  to  warn  his  comrades 
the  Pawnees  had  returned,  believing  that  the 
Cheyennes  would  attempt  to  retreat  across  the 
water.  Thus  War  Eagle  and  his  warriors  had 
been  caught  in  the  meshes  of  their  own 
stratagem. 

Thoroughly  surprised,  the  Cheyennes  be- 
came demoralized.  For  a  moment  they  hesi- 
tated in  confusion.  Then,  as  they  saw  their 

176 


THE    BATTLE 

comrades  falling  on  all  sides  of  them,  they 
wheeled  their  frightened  ponies  and  attempted 
to  retreat.  At  that  instant  they  heard  the  war- 
cry  of  their  enemies  reverberating  through  the 
timber  on  the  shore  they  had  just  left.  Their 
hearts  failed  them  at  the  sound,  for  they  real- 
ized that  they  had  been  trapped.  Then  the 
Pawnees  charged  into  the  water  and  the  Chey- 
ennes  engaged  them  in  a  terrific  hand-to-hand 
struggle. 

1 '  Die  like  men !"  cried  War  Eagle.  ' '  Remem- 
ber that  the  Pawnees  have  called  you  women!" 

A  moment  afterward  the  venerable  war- 
chief  fell  lifeless  from  his  pony.  Deprived  of 
their  leader,  the  Cheyennes  became  panic- 
stricken.  Laughing  Bear  attempted  to  rally 
them,  but  he,  too,  was  killed  in  the  midst  of 
his  harangue.  Then  the  Cheyennes  fled  from 
their  foes  and  scattered  like  a  covey  of  fright- 
ened quail.  Most  of  them  were  cut  down  be- 
fore they  reached  cover,  and  the  few  survivors 
galloped  wildly  across  the  plain  with  the 
triumphant  Pawnees  in  hot  pursuit. 

In  the  mean  time  the  young  Sioux  were  re- 
treating down  the  middle  of  the  stream.  They 
had  lost  their  ponies  at  the  first  fierce  on- 
slaught, and,  realizing  that  they  could  be  of  no 

12  I77 


THE    RED   ARROW 

further  assistance  to  their  allies,  they  looked  to 
their  own  safety.  Dropping  into  the  shallow 
water,  they  half  swam  and  half  crawled  until 
they  gained  a  sharp  turn  of  the  stream.  Then 
they  rose  and  moved  slowly  forward  under  pro- 
tection of  the  dark.  They  feared  that  keen- 
eyed  Pawnee  scouts  would  hurry  along  the 
edge  of  the  water  to  despatch  any  wounded 
foes  who  might  attempt  to  reach  the  timber, 
and  they  dared  not  turn  toward  the  shore. 

"We  must  be  very  cautious/'  whispered 
Sun  Bird,  as  they  stopped  to  listen. 

"The  Great  Mystery  has  spared  our  lives/* 
White  Otter  declared,  reverently. 

They  heard  the  Pawnees  whooping  trium- 
phantly, and  their  hearts  filled  with  wrath  at 
the  sound.  They  believed  that  the  Cheyenne 
war  party  had  been  almost  annihilated,  and 
they  recalled  the  ominous  warning  of  Laughing 
Bear,  the  medicine-man.  However,  the  lads 
had  little  time  to  think  about  the  fate  of  their 
allies,  for  their  own  safety  was  far  from  as- 
sured and  they  knew  that  every  moment  was 
precious.  They  followed  the  stream  until 
dawn,  and  then  they  turned  to  the  shore  and 
concealed  themselves  in  a  dense  thicket  of 
willows. 


XIII 

SCOUTING 

OHORTLY  after  sunrise  the  Sioux  were 
O  greatly  alarmed  by  the  appearance  of 
two  Pawnees  on  the  opposite  shore.  They 
stood  at  the  edge  of  the  timber  a  moment, 
and  then  they  turned  and  vanished  into  the 
shadows.  As  they  saw  them  moving  cau- 
tiously between  the  trees  a  few  moments  later 
the  lads  became  convinced  that  these  war- 
riors were  looking  for  them.  Having  figured 
so  conspicuously  in  the  battle  on  the  plain 
the  day  before,  they  had  little  doubt  that  they 
had  been  recognized  as  Sioux.  Aware  of  the 
bitter  enmity  between  the  two  tribes,  they  felt 
sure  that  their  foes  would  make  every  effort 
to  find  them.  They  believed  that  the  Pawnees 
would  send  scouts  along  both  banks  of  the 
stream,  and  they  saw  little  chance  of  escape. 

"This  thing  is  bad,"  whispered  Sun  Bird. 
"The  Pawnees  have  eyes  like  the  weasel," 

179 


THE   RED   ARROW 

"If  they  find  us,  we  will  fight.  They  will 
see  that  we  are  as  brave  as  our  brothers,  the 
Cheyennes,"  declared  White  Otter. 

Then  they  heard  something  approaching 
through  the  bushes.  Fitting  arrows  to  their 
bows,  the  lads  flattened  themselves  against 
the  ground  and  peered  anxiously  through  the 
undergrowth.  A  Pawnee  warrior  was  making 
his  way  carefully  along  the  stream.  He  was 
walking  directly  toward  them,  and  the  Sioux 
aimed  their  arrows  at  his  heart.  At  that  in- 
stant, however,  the  Pawnee  stopped  and 
looked  toward  the  plain.  The  lads  waited. 
Then,  having  evidently  seen  something  sig- 
nificant, the  hostile  scout  turned  from  the 
stream  and  passed  at  some  distance  from 
them. 

"He  may  return;  we  must  watch,"  whis- 
pered White  Otter. 

When  half  the  day  had  gone  and  they  saw 
nothing  more  of  their  foes  the  Sioux  began 
to  take  heart.  They  hoped  that,  having 
failed  to  find  them  along  the  stream,  the 
Pawnees  would  conclude  that  they  had  es- 
caped with  the  little  company  of  Cheyenne 
survivors.  The  lads  realized,  however,  that 
it  would  be  folly  to  venture  from  concealment 

180 


SCOUTING 

before  they  were  certain  that  their  enemies 
had  withdrawn  from  the  vicinity.  Besides, 
the  unexpected  outcome  of  their  alliance 
with  the  Cheyennes  had  completely  upset 
their  plans.  They  were  undecided  as  to  just 
what  to  do.  The  lack  of  ponies  was  a  serious 
handicap,  and  still  they  saw  no  way  of  over- 
coming it.  At  first  they  thought  of  following 
their  back  trail  in  the  hope  of  finding  the 
Cheyenne  village  and  securing  new  mounts. 
They  knew,  however,  that  even  if  they  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  their  allies  the  delay  might 
prove  fatal  to  the  success  of  their  expedition 
against  the  Pawnees.  They  determined,  there- 
fore, to  proceed  toward  the  Pawnee  camp  on 
foot,  hoping  to  find  an  opportunity  of  secur- 
ing horses  from  their  foes.  Having  come 
to  this  bold  decision,  the  lads  waited  im- 
patiently for  dark  and  a  chance  to  leave  their 
hiding-place. 

Toward  sunset  they  crept  to  the  edge  of 
the  plain  and  looked  for  the  Pawnees.  They 
were  nowhere  in  sight,  and  the  Sioux  believed 
they  had  gone.  Still,  they  feared  to  expose 
themselves.  They  watched  until  night  set- 
tled down,  and  then  they  left  the  timber  and 
hurried  away  toward  the  north. 

181 


THE   RED   ARROW 

The  lads  trudged  wearily  through  the  night, 
and  at  dawn  they  took  shelter  in  the  bottom  of 
a  dried-out  watercourse.  They  looked  eagerly 
about  the  plain  for  some  sign  of  the  great 
Pawnee  camp,  but  their  search  was  fruitless. 
Farther  to  the  north  they  saw  a  long  line  of 
trees,  and  they  believed  it  was  the  same  grove 
in  which  Painted  Weasel  had  located  the 
hostile  camp.  They  strained  their  eyes  try- 
ing to  find  a  trace  of  smoke  against  the  sky, 
but  they  saw  nothing  to  suggest  that  their 
foes  were  still  in  the  timber.  A  day's  journey 
to  the  west  were  the  foot-hills.  The  Sioux 
looked  upon  them  in  silence.  They  wondered 
whether  the  Pawnees  had  gone  that  far. 
Then  Sun  Bird  stooped  to  examine  something 
at  his  feet. 

''See,  here  are  pony  tracks/'  he  cried. 

"I  believe  Painted  Weasel  was  in  this 
ravine,"  declared  White  Otter. 

The  footprints  were  some  days  old,  and 
the  lads  were  convinced  that  they  had  been 
made  by  the  horse  of  one  of  the  Cheyenne 
scouts.  In  that  event,  it  was  evident  that 
the  trees  to  the  north  marked  the  original 
camp  site  described  by  Painted  Weasel.  But 
where  were  the  Pawnees?  The  perplexed 

182 


SCOUTING 

Sioux  turned  to  each  other  for  the  an- 
swer. 

"To  know  this  thing  we  must  go  to  those 
trees  and  find  the  place  where  our  enemies 
camped.  Then  we  can  follow  their  trail/' 
said  White  Otter. 

"It  is  what  is  in  my  heart,"  declared  Sun 
Bird.  "We  will  wait  until  dark,  for  it  would 
be  foolish  to  walk  over  the  plain  in  daylight." 

Later  in  the  day  they  saw  a  heavy  cloud  of 
dust  to  the  east.  As  they  watched  it  an 
alarming  possibility  flashed  into  their  minds. 

"Perhaps  it  is  the  war  party  that  chased 
the  Cheyennes,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"I  am  thinking  about  it,"  replied  White 
Otter. 

Then  they  saw  a  good-sized  company  of 
horsemen  ride  into  view,  and  they  feared 
that  their  suspicions  were  true.  The  riders 
were  making  toward  the  trees,  and  the  Sioux 
believed  that  until  they  had  come  within 
sight  of  the  timber  they  had  been  unaware 
that  the  camp  had  been  moved.  They  passed 
at  some  distance  from  the  ravine  which  shel- 
tered the  very  foes  for  whom  they  had  been 
searching,  and  the  lads  saw  that  they  were 
leading  a  number  of  riderless  ponies. 

183 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"It  is  good,"  said  White  Otter.  "These 
warriors  will  stop  to  rest  in  the  timber. 
Then  they  will  follow  the  trail  of  their  people. 
They  will  lead  us  to  the  camp." 

"It  is  so,"  agreed  Sun  Bird. 

The  riders  dismounted  at  the  edge  of  the 
timber  and  turned  their  tired  ponies  upon 
the  plain.  The  lads  looked  upon  them  with 
covetous  eyes.  A  few  moments  later  they 
saw  a  thin  column  of  smoke  rising  above  the 
trees,  and  they  knew  that  the  Pawnees  in- 
tended to  eat  before  resuming  their  journey. 

"It  is  good;  they  will  not  reach  the  camp 
until  the  next  sun.  Perhaps  we  will  have  a 
chance  to  capture  two  ponies,"  declared  Sun 
Bird. 

"That  would  be  very  foolish,"  White  Otter 
warned.  "Then  they  would  know  that  we 
are  following  them." 

"What  you  say  is  true.  We  must  not  take 
the  horses  until  we  are  ready  to  ride  away," 
agreed  Sun  Bird. 

The  lads  waited  impatiently  for  the  Paw- 
nees to  resume  their  journey.  They  seemed 
to  be  in  no  hurry,  however,  and  the  Sioux 
wondered  whether  they  intended  to  spend 
the  night  in  the  timber. 

184 


SCOUTING 

"  Perhaps  their  people  left  a  message/1  said 
Sun  Bird.  "See,  the  smoke  is  blacker  and 
thicker.  My  heart  tells  me  it  is  a  signal." 

"I  believe  the  Pawnees  will  return  to  this 
place,"  declared  White  Otter. 

At  sunset  they  saw  two  riders  appear  on 
the  crest  of  a  low  ridge  some  distance  to  the 
west.  They  were  watching  the  smoke  sig- 
nal. In  a  few  moments  one  of  the  horsemen 
rode  forward  a  short  distance  and  walked  his 
pony  slowly  in  a  circle.  At  the  same  time  a 
Pawnee  appeared  at  the  edge  of  the  timber. 
After  watching  the  horseman  a  few  moments 
he  raised  his  voice  in  the  weird  cry  of  the  gray 
wolf.  Then  he  raised  his  hands  to  the  level 
of  his  shoulders  and  extended  the  first  two 
fingers  of  each  hand. 

"It  is  the  sign  for  Pawnee,"  whispered  Sun 
Bird.  "My  father  has  told  me  about  it." 

They  saw  the  mounted  warrior  raise  his 
hands  to  his  shoulders,  and  they  knew  that 
he  was  repeating  the  sign  of  recognition. 
Then  the  two  horsemen  galloped  rapidly 
toward  the  trees. 

"They  are  scouts.  They  will  guide  the 
war  party  to  the  camp,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"  It  is  bad,"  White  Otter  declared,  solemnly. 
185 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"If  those  warriors  have  been  watching,  they 
may  have  seen  us." 

The  possibility  filled  them  with  alarm. 
The  plain  offered  no  shelter,  and  as  they 
were  without  ponies  the  lads  believed  that 
discovery  would  mean  death.  The  Pawnees 
had  gathered  about  the  riders,  and  the  Sioux 
watched  them  closely.  However,  they  learned 
nothing  to  relieve  their  suspense.  If  the 
members  of  the  war  party  had  been  warned 
by  the  riders,  they  gave  no  indication  of  the 
fact.  The  lads  were  unable  to  decide  whether 
the  Pawnees  were  unaware  of  their  presence 
or  whether  they  were  feigning  ignorance  in 
the  hope  of  making  them  the  victims  of  some 
wily  stratagem. 

"The  wolf  does  not  creep  when  the  deer  is 
lame,"  declared  Sun  Bird.  "If  those  war- 
riors saw  us,  then  they  know  we  are  without 
ponies.  The  Pawnees  could  catch  us  now. 
In  the  dark  we  might  escape.  I  do  not  be- 
lieve they  know  about  us.  This  is  how  the 
thing  is  in  my  heart. " 

"You  have  spoken  wise  words,"  replied 
White  Otter. 

As  twilight  had  already  settled  upon  the 
plain  and  the  Pawnees  showed  no  intention 

186 


SCOUTING 

of  leaving  the  timber  the  lads  felt  sure 
they  intended  to  remain  there  for^the  night. 
This  fact  made  them  believe  that  the  camp 
was  at  ^least  a  day's  journey  away.  Deter- 
mined to  take  every  precaution,  the  crafty 
young  Sioux  left  their  hiding-place  soon  after 
dark  and  made  a  long  detour  toward  the 
east.  Then  they  circled,  and  crossed  the 
stream. 

"I  believe  we  have  done  a  good  thing/' 
said  White  Otter. 

The  lads  made  their  way  cautiously  through 
the  timber  until  they  were  almost  opposite 
their  enemies.  Then  they  concealed  them- 
selves to  watch  and  listen.  They  saw  the 
glimmer  of  the  camp-fire,  and  heard  the 
Pawnees  talking.  Then,  far  away  to  the 
south,  they  heard  the  melancholy  howl  of 
the  gray  wolf.  A  hush  fell  upon  the  camp. 
The  Sioux  became  suspicious.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments the  quavering  call  again  rang  through 
the  night  and  the  lads  knew  that  it  was  a 
signal.  They  heard  a  commotion  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  stream.  It  was  evident 
that  the  Pawnees  were  mounting  their  ponies. 
Then  they  heard  them  galloping  across  the 
plain. 

187 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"It  is  bad/'  whispered  Sun  Bird.  "I  be- 
lieve they  know  about  us." 

i 'Yes,  they  tried  to  catch  us,  but  we  fooled 
them,"  laughed  White  Otter. 

"It  we  stay  here  they  will  find  us.  We 
must  go  away." 

"We  will  go  to  the  foot-hills.  There  we 
will  find  game.  We  will  hide  in  the  timber 
until  we  find  the  great  Pawnee  camp." 

"It  is  the  best  thing  to  do,"  agreed  Sun 
Bird. 

Realizing  that  they  must  make  the  most 
of  the  night,  the  Sioux  followed  the  stream 
toward  the  west.  When  they  were  some 
distance  from  the  spot  where  the  Pawnees 
had  camped  they  crossed  to  the  other  shore. 
Then  they  hurried  away  in  the  direction  of 
the  low  ridges  which  they  had  seen  earlier 
in  the  day.  They  forced  themselves  to  an 
exhausting  pace,  for  they  knew  that  to  escape 
detection  they  must  reach  the  foot-hills  be- 
fore daylight.  It  was  a  feat  which  tried 
their  powers  to  the  utmost,  but  the  Sioux 
lads  had  been  well  trained  and  their  splendid 
young  bodies  withstood  the  strain  and  car- 
ried them  through  successfully.  The  eastern 
sky  was  just  turning  gray  when  they  stag- 

188 


SCOUTING 

gered  into  the  timber  at  the  edge  of  the 
plain.  They  struggled  to  the  summit  of  the 
ridge  and  threw  themselves  down  to  watch 
for  their  enemies. 

As  the  day  wore  on  and  the  horsemen  failed 
to  appear  the  lads  became  perplexed.  They 
feared  they  had  been  mistaken  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Pawnee  camp. 

"I  do  not  know  this  thing,"  Sun  Bird  said, 
gloomily. 

"My  eyes  are  sharp,  but  they  do  not  tell 
me  what  I  wish  to  know,"  replied  White 
Otter. 

"Perhaps  the  Pawnees  have  ended  the  big 
talk,"  suggested  Sun  Bird.  "Perhaps  they 
have  taken  down  their  lodges  and  gone  back 
to  their  villages." 

"I  do  not  feel  it  in  my  heart,"  White  Otter 
declared,  hopefully.  "I  believe  we  will  find 
the  great  camp  farther  to  the  north." 

Acting  upon  the  suggestion,  the  lads  set 
out  along  the  base  of  the  foot-hills.  They 
had  not  gone  far,  however,  when  they  saw 
the  telltale  column  of  smoke  rising  from  a 
cluster  of  trees  some  distance  to  the  north. 
The  sight  filled  them  with  hope. 

"See,  there  is  the  great  camp  of  our  ene- 
189 


THE    RED   ARROW 

mies,"  White  Otter  cried,  excitedly.  "At 
dark  we  will  creep  close  to  the  lodges  and 
learn  what  we  wish  to  know." 

"It  will  be  hard  to  do  this  thing.  If  the 
men  in  the  war  party  have  told  all  the  people 
about  us  they  will  be  on  their  guard,"  de- 
clared Sun  Bird. 

"Then  we  will  wait  until  they  stop  looking 
for  us." 

The  lads  continued  along  the  base  of  the 
foot-hills  until  they  could  see  the  Pawnee 
camp.  They  were  astounded  at  its  size. 
There  were  several  hundred  lodges,  arranged 
to  form  an  enormous  circle.  The  Sioux 
realized  that  the  Cheyenne  scouts  had  told 
the  truth  when  they  warned  their  people  of 
the  odds  against  them.  Still,  they  did  not 
believe  that  either  Painted  Weasel  or  Running 
Crow  had  referred  to  this  enormous  camp. 

"Now  I  know  this  thing,"  said  White 
Otter.  "The  people  who  camped  at  the 
stream  were  coming  to  this  great  council. 
This  is  the  place  where  they  expected  to  meet 
their  people.  When  their  scouts  told  them 
about  the  Cheyenne  war  party  they  went 
back  to  fight.  The  old  men  and  the  women 
and  children  came  on  here  with  the  lodges, 

190 


SCOUTING 

That  is  why  we  did  not  see  them.  The 
warriors  who  were  looking  for  us  were  the 
men  who  chased  the  Cheyennes." 

"I  believe  you  have  told  this  thing  as  it 
is,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

The  lads  saw  a  great  herd  of  ponies  grazing 
on  the  plain,  and  they  knew  that  they  would 
have  little  difficulty  in  supplying  them- 
selves with  new  mounts.  But  how  they  were 
to  learn  whether  Little  Raven  was  in  the 
camp  and  whether  the  Red  Arrow  was  in  the 
medicine-lodge  they  did  not  know.  The 
task  seemed  like  a  hopeless  one,  but  they 
had  no  thought  of  failure. 

"We  must  wait  until  dark,"  said  Sun 
Bird.  "Then  I  will  give  the  call  of  the  great 
night-bird  with  the  yellow  eyes.  If  my 
brother  is  in  the  camp  he  will  hear  it,  and 
listen.  Then  I  will  call  again.  He  will  be- 
gin to  think  about  it.  Then  I  will  call  again, 
and  stop  before  the  song  is  finished.  Then 
Little  Raven  will  say,  'Ah,  my  brother,  Sun 
Bird,  has  come  to  help  me!  I  must  give  him 
some  sign.'" 

"It  is  good,"  said  White  Otter. 


XIV 

WAITING  AND  WATCHING 

THE  night  was  half  gone  before  the  lads 
thought  it  safe  to  venture  upon  the 
plain.  Then  Sun  Bird  insisted  upon  going 
alone.  White  Otter  was  astonished.  But 
when  he  objected,  Sun  Bird  declared  that  it 
would  be  foolish  for  both  to  expose  them- 
selves. He  said  he  would  only  go  near 
enough  to  the  camp  to  make  sure  that  his 
signals  would  be  heard. 

"Then  we  must  wait  and  watch/*  he 
said. 

"I  believe  it  is  the  best  thing  to  do,"  re- 
plied White  Otter. 

Having  promised  to  raise  the  cry  of  the 
prairie-wolf  if  he  found  himself  in  peril,  Sun 
Bird  took  his  departure.  When  he  was  some 
distance  out  on  the  plain  he  stopped  and 
turned  his  face  to  the  stars.  He  stood  there 
a  long  time,  praying  earnestly  to  the  Great 

192 


WAITING   AND    WATCHING 

Mystery.     Then  he  continued  his  hazardous 
journey  toward  the  Pawnee  camp. 

When  the  young  Sioux  finally  saw  a  line  of 
trees  looming  up  before  him  he  knew  that  he 
was  within  hearing  of  the  camp  and  he  stopped 
to  listen.  As  the  stillness  was  unbroken  he 
advanced  cautiously  to  the  edge  of  the 
timber.  Then  he  again  strained  his  ears  for 
sounds  from  his  foes.  But  only  the  night 
wind  whispered  out  of  the  south. 

Sun  Bird  had  been  well  instructed  in  the  art 
of  mimicry,  and  there  were  few  among  his 
people  who  could  equal  his  skill  in  imitating 
the  calls  of  the  birds  and  animals.  When  he 
imitated  the  hooting  of  an  owl,  therefore, 
the  notes  were  so  near  perfect  that  the  most 
practised  ear  could  not  have  discovered  the 
deception.  He  waited  a  few  moments,  and 
then  he  repeated  the  call.  Then  after  a  still 
longer  interval  he  began  the  third  time.  At 
that  instant,  however,  he  heard  the  dogs 
barking  in  the  Pawnee  camp  and  he  stopped 
abruptly.  He  realized  that  his  signal  had 
been  heard,  and  the  thought  filled  him  with 
hope.  Sun  Bird  felt  confident  that  if  Little 
Raven  was  in  the  camp  he  would  find  some 
way  of  replying. 

'3  193 


THE   RED   ARROW 

"It  is  good;  you  have  returned/1  said 
White  Otter,  as  Sun  Bird  appeared  before 
him.  "Tell  me  what  you  have  done." 

"I  have  sung  the  song  of  the  great  night- 
bird  with  the  yellow  eyes.  If  Little  Raven 
is  in  the  Pawnee  camp,  then  he  has  heard  it. 
He  will  know  this  thing.  He  will  say,  'It  is 
my  brother,  Sun  Bird.  I  will  give  him  a  sign.' 
We  must  watch/'  replied  Sun  Bird. 

"Yes,  we  will  wait  here  until  we  know  this 
thing/'  agreed  White  Otter. 

Convinced  that  they  were  in  no  immediate 
danger,  the  lads  slept  until  sunrise.  Then 
they  awakened,  and  looked  anxiously  toward 
the  Pawnee  camp.  Smoke  was  rising  above 
the  lodges,  and  they  knew  that  their  enemies 
were  busy  with  the  morning  meal.  The 
thought  made  them  hungry.  They  had  had 
little  to  eat  since  the  disastrous  battle  with 
the  Pawnees,  and  they  felt  weak  and  fam- 
ished. While  Sun  Bird  watched  at  the  edge 
of  the  plain,  therefore,  White  Otter  scoured 
the  foot-hills  in  search  of  game.  It  was  not 
long  before  he  returned  with  several  grouse. 
As  they  feared  to  make  a  fire,  the  lads  were 
forced  to  eat  the  birds  uncooked.  They  ac- 
cepted the  hardship  uncomplainingly,  how- 

194 


WAITING   AND   WATCHING 

ever,  for  they  knew  that  such  discomforts 
were  the  inevitable  lot  of  every  successful 
warrior.  After  they  had  satisfied  their  hunger 
they  drank  at  a  little  spring  which  they  had 
found  the  day  before.  Then  they  settled 
themselves  in  the  timber  to  watch  for  a  sig- 
nal from  Little  Raven. 

"  Perhaps  many  suns  will  pass  before  we 
know  this  thing/*  said  White  Otter. 

"We  must  wait/'  replied  Sun  Bird. 

They  watched  faithfully  throughout  the 
dsty,  but  they  saw  nothing  which  they  could 
accept  as  a  clue.  They  were  not  discouraged, 
however,  for  they  knew  that  even  though 
Little  Raven  had  heard  the  signal,  several 
days  might  pass  before  he  would  think  of  a 
way  to  communicate  with  them. 

As  darkness  finally  settled  down,  the  lads 
saw  the  gleam  of  the  distant  camp-fires  and 
heard  the  beating  of  the  war-drums.  It  was 
evident  that  the  Pawnees  were  celebrating  an 
important  ceremony.  The  Sioux  wondered 
whether  they  were  taking  vengeance  upon 
some  unfortunate  Cheyenne  captive.  Sun 
Bird  was  much  depressed  by  the  thought. 
He  feared  that  Little  Raven  might  have 
shared  the  same  fate.  His  one  hope  was  the 

195 


THE   RED  ARROW 

lad's  youthfulness.  He  knew  that  even  the 
most  bitter  foes  usually  spared  all  prisoners 
below  the  warrior  age,  with  the  idea  of  eventu- 
ally adopting  them  into  the  tribe.  But  Sun 
Bird  also  knew  that  much  depended  upon  the 
captive  himself,  and  as  he  recalled  Little 
Raven's  quick,  high  temper  and  indomitable 
independence  he  had  grave  doubts  'of  the  lad's 
safety.  He  would  willingly  have  sacrificed 
his  own  life  to  help  him,  but  he  realized  that 
he  could  do  nothing  until  he  knew  whether 
Little  Raven  was  in  the  camp.  Sun  Bird 
knew  that  to  learn  this  he  must  again  venture 
upon  the  plain. 

"It  is  dark.  I  will  go  to  sing  the  song  of 
the  great  night-bird  with  the  yellow  eyes. 
If  Little  Raven  is  there,  then  he  will  know 
that  I  am  waiting,"  he  told  White  Otter. 

"Am  I  a  woman  that  I  must  hide  in  the 
timber  while  my  brother  goes  alone?  No,  I 
will  go.  I  have  said  it,"  White  Otter  de- 
clared, emphatically. 

"That  would  be  very  foolish,"  said  Sun 
Bird.  "The  wise  chief  sends  all  his  warriors 
into  the  fight,  but  he  sends  but  one  to  scout. 
Wait  until  I  know  this  thing.  Then  I  will 
ask  you  to  help  me." 

1:96 


WAITING  AND  WATCHING 

"Go.     I  will  wait,"  replied  White  Otter. 

Sun  Bird  reached  the  timber  in  safety,  and 
spent  some  time  listening  to  the  sounds  from 
the  camp.  The  monotonous  throbbing  of  the 
war-drums  and  the  confused  clamor  of  the 
dancers  came  to  him  with  amazing  distinct- 
ness. He  waited  until  there  was  a  momen- 
tary lull  and  then  he  sent  his  message  through 
the  night.  Three  times  he  raised  the  signal. 
Then  he  listened  for  some  sound  which  would 
tell  him  that  his  brother  was  still  alive.  But 
as  the  time  passed  and  he  heard  nothing  which 
he  could  interpret  as  a  reply  he  began  to  lose 
hope.  When  three-fourths  of  the  night  had 
gone  he  left  the  grove  and  made  his  way 
across  the  plain  with  a  heavy  heart. 

The  Pawnees  were  still  beating  their  war- 
drums,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  celebra- 
tion would  continue  until  daylight.  Sun 
Bird  would  have  given  much  for  a  peep  into 
the  camp,  but  he  overcame  the  temptation 
and  continued  resolutely  on  his  way,  for  he 
had  promised  White  Otter  to  take  no  un- 
necessary risks. 

As  he  neared  the  spot  where  he  had  left 
his  friend,  Sun  Bird  stopped  and  imitated 
the  quick,  sharp  bark  of  the  little  gray  fox. 

197 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Almost  instantly  he  received  an  answer  from 
the  base  of  the  ridge,  and  he  knew  that  all  was 
well.  A  few  moments  later  he  found  White 
Otter  awaiting  him  at  the  edge  of  the  plain. 

"I  will  ask  you  what  is  in  your  heart," 
said  White  Otter  when  they  had  entered  the 
timber  and  seated  themselves  beside  the 
little  spring. 

"I  will  tell  you  about  it,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 
"Like  before,  I  went  near  the  Pawnee  camp. 
I  sang  the  song  of  the  great  night-bird  with 
the  yellow  eyes.  Then  I  listened  a  long 
time.  I  heard  the  Pawnees  beating  their  war- 
drums  and  making  a  noise;  I  heard  the  wind 
moving  in  the  trees;  I  heard  the  little  night- 
people  running  through  the  grass.  But  I 
did  not  listen  to  those  things.  No,  I  was 
thinking,  '  Pretty  soon  I  will  hear  something 
better — Little  Raven  will  send  me  a  sign.' 
I  waited  a  very  long  time.  Then  I  felt  sad. 
I  was  thinking,  '  Perhaps  my  brother  has  gone 
on  the  Long  Trail/  I  prayed  to  the  Great  Mys- 
tery to  tell  me  this  thing.  Then  I  listened. 
But  I  heard  only  the  things  which  I  have  told 
you  about.  Then  I  came  here.  I  do  not 
know  this  thing;  it  is  bad.  My  heart  is 
filled  with  clouds." 

198 


WAITING   AND    WATCHING 

"I  have  listened  to  your  words.  We  will 
wait  here  another  sun.  Perhaps  we  will  see  a 
sign.  If  we  do  not  see  anything,  then  we  must 
creep  to  the  edge  of  the  camp.  Perhaps  we 
will  see  Little  Raven.  If  we  do  not  find  him, 
then  we  will  run  off  two  good  ponies.  Then 
I  will  go  into  the  camp  to  look  for  the  Red 
Arrow,"  White  Otter  declared. 

"You  are  a  brave  warrior;  we  will  do  as 
you  say/'  agreed  Sun  Bird. 


XV 

THE  CAPTIVE 

FOR  a  long  time  after  Little  Raven  was 
brought  into  the  Pawnee  camp  his  lot 
was  a  hard  one.  The  Pawnee's  bitter  hatred 
of  the  Sioux  made  him  a  tempting  target  for 
all  manner  of  abuse  and  insults.  He  was 
compelled  to  do  much  of  the  camp  drudgery, 
and  was  imposed  upon  and  harassed  by  young 
and  old  alike.  In  fact,  his  life  was  made  so 
miserable  that  he  believed  his  captors  in- 
tended to  eventually  kill  him.  Still,  he  real- 
ized that  to  resist  would  only  hasten  his  fate. 
The  one  hope  which  he  never  abandoned  was 
that  some  day  his  people  would  come  to  his 
assistance.  With  this  thought  to  sustain  him, 
he  bore  his  trials  with  a  calm  indifference 
which  finally  earned  the  respect,  if  not  the 
good- will,  of  his  enemies. 

Then  he  found  an  opportunity  to  gain  the 
favor  of  the  great  war -chief,  Two  Moons. 

200 


THE   CAPTIVE 

Straight  Feather,  the  chief's  son,  a  lad  about 
the  age  of  the  young  Sioux,  was  seized  with 
cramps  while  swimming  in  the  river  which 
flowed  past  the  camp.  At  the  time  Little 
Raven  was  collecting  firewood  along  the 
shore.  When  he  heard  the  piercing  cries 
from  the  river  and  saw  the  Pawnee  lad  raise 
his  hands  and  sink  from  sight,  the  Sioux 
plunged  into  the  water  and  swam  to  his 
assistance.  Reaching  the  spot  where  Straight 
Feather  had  disappeared,  Little  Raven  dove 
and  brought  the  unconscious  lad  to  the  sur- 
face. Then  he  towed  him  safely  to  the  shore, 
where  he  was  speedily  revived  by  his  people. 

Two  Moons  was  sincerely  grateful  for  this 
act  of  generous  heroism,  and  from  that  time 
Little  Raven's  lot  was  more  endurable.  He 
and  Straight  Feather  became  friends,  and 
they  spent  much  time  sitting  together,  con- 
versing in  the  sign  language.  As  their  friend- 
ship strengthened,  however,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  find  an  easier  means  of  expressing 
their  ideas,  and  it  was  not  long,  therefore, 
before  each  learned  the  dialect  of  the  other. 

' '  It  is  good ;  now  I  can  tell  you  what  is  in  my 
heart,"  Straight  Feather  said,  in  Sioux,  when 
they  felt  that  their  education  was  complete. 

2OI 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"Your  words  are  like  the  songs  of  the  birds 
to  my  ears/'  Little  Raven  replied,  in  the 
Pawnee  tongue. 

"  Then  I  will  tell  you  something.  You  are  a 
Sioux.  Your  people  are  my  enemies.  My 
people  are  your  enemies.  There  will  be 
much  fighting.  When  I  become  a  warrior 
I  shall  probably  kill  many  Sioux.  But  you 
have  saved  my  life,  and  my  heart  is  friendly 
toward  you.  Whatever  happens,  I  will  never 
kill  you.  I  have  said  it." 

"I  have  listened  to  your  talk.  You  have 
spoken  like  a  good  friend  and  a  brave  warrior. 
When  you  fight  with  the  Sioux  you  will  prob- 
ably be  killed.  But  I  will  tell  you  what  is  in 
my  heart.  Whatever  comes,  I  will  never  try 
to  kill  you,"  replied  Little  Raven,  as  he 
offered  his  hand. 

As  the  months  went  by  the  Sioux  lad  was 
gradually  taken  into  comradeship  by  the 
young  Pawnees,  and  it  was  not  long  before 
he  became  prominent  in  their  sports  and 
pastimes.  His  prowess  with  the  bow  and  his 
superb  horsemanship  soon  gained  the  ad- 
miration of  the  older  Pawnees,  and  they 
looked  upon  him  as  one  destined  to  become  a 
great  warrior.  They  were  careful  to  afford 

202 


THE   CAPTIVE 

him  no  opportunity  to  escape,  however,  and 
as  he  had  been  warned  not  to  go  beyond  bow- 
shot of  the  village  he  was  debarred  from  the 
hunting-parties  organized  by  his  companions. 

At  the  end  of  a  year  Two  Moons  formally 
adopted  Little  Raven  as  his  son.  As  there 
was  no  other  alternative,  the  lad  accepted 
the  honor  without  in  any  way  compromising 
his  loyalty  and  allegiance  to  his  own  people. 

"This  thing  has  filled  my  heart  with  sun- 
shine/' said  Straight  Feather. 

"I  am  your  brother,  but  I  am  a  Sioux, " 
Little  Raven  reminded  him. 

There  were  some  in  the  Pawnee  camp, 
however,  who  became  intensely  jealous  of  the 
lad.  The  most  bitter  of  these  implacable 
foes  was  Standing  Elk,  the  Pawnee  medicine- 
man. This  warrior  was  second  in  influence 
and  power  only  to  Two  Moons  himself. 
Little  Raven  soon  realized  that  he  was  a 
crafty  and  vicious  enemy.  Standing  Elk 
never  lost  an  opportunity  for  prejudicing  the 
minds  of  his  people  against  the  young  Sioux, 
and  but  for  the  loyal  support  of  Straight 
Feather  and  the  vigorous  interference  of  his 
father  there  were  times  when  Little  Raven 
surely  would  have  been  made  the  victim  of 

203 


THE   RED  ARROW 

the  medicine-man's  burning  hatred.  The 
lad  knew  that  it  would  be  foolhardy  to  at- 
tempt to  defend  himself,  as  he  realized  that 
such  action  would  be  certain  to  turn  the 
entire  tribe  against  him.  He  suffered  the 
persecution  without  protest,  therefore,  con- 
soling himself  with  the  hope  of  eventual 
escape. 

"Standing  Elk  is  a  brave  warrior,  but  his 
heart  is  black  against  his  enemies,  the  Sioux. 
It  is  bad.  He  will  set  many  traps  to  catch 
you.  You  must  be  as  crafty  as  the  wolf. 
I  have  told  you  this  because  you  are  my 
brother/'  said  Straight  Feather. 

"You  have  a  good  heart.  I  will  remember 
this  thing.  What  you  say  is  true.  I  will  be 
as  watchful  as  the  fox,"  replied  Little  Raven. 

Several  days  later  a  horseman  rode  into 
the  camp  from  the  north.  Little  Raven  saw 
at  once  that  the  warrior  was  a  Pawnee,  and 
he  believed  that  he  was  a  messenger  from 
some  distant  tribe.  He  wondered  whether 
the  rider  brought  a  summons  to  war.  The 
Pawnees  showed  considerable  interest  in  the 
travel-worn  visitor,  and  that  night  Two 
Moons  called  the  warriors  to  a  council. 

"We  are  going  away  from  here,"  said 
204 


THE   CAPTIVE 

Straight  Feather,  some  time  later,  when  they 
were  in  his  father's  lodge.  "  That  warrior  who 
came  here  on  the  spotted  pony  is  Dog  Robe. 
He  comes  from  the  camp  of  Yellow  Cloud, 
the  great  war -chief  of  the  Pawnee  nation. 
Yellow  Cloud  tells  his  brother,  Two  Moons, 
that  it  is  time  for  the  big  council.  We  will 
travel  a  long  journey  across  the  plain,  until 
we  meet  our  brothers.  Then  we  will  make  a 
great  camp  near  the  hills.  It  is  good;  the 
warriors  will  sing  and  dance,  we  will  race  our 
ponies,  and  the  old  men  will  sit  together  and 
tell  their  wonderful  stories. " 

The  announcement  filled  Little  Raven's 
heart  with  hope.  The  proposed  expedition 
suggested  all  sorts  of  encouraging  possibil- 
ities. He  believed  that  the  long  journey 
across  the  plain  might  offer  him  an  oppor- 
tunity to  escape.  But  even  if  that  hope 
proved  false,  there  was  a  possibility  of  en- 
countering a  Sioux  war  party.  And  as  a  last 
resort  he  hoped  that  he  might  be  able  to  slip 
from  the  great  camp  while  the  Pawnees  were 
absorbed  in  their  ceremonies.  Altogether, 
therefore,  the  proposed  plan  filled  him  with 
delight,  but  he  was  careful  to  conceal  his 
elation  from  the  young  Pawnee. 

205 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"Will  all  the  Pawnees  go  to  this  great 
council?'*  he  asked  Straight  Feather. 

"No,  Crazy  Bear  and  his  people,  who  live 
far  away  to  the  south,  will  not  go.  This 
great  chief  is  very  old,  and  he  cannot  travel 
so  far.  When  it  is  time  for  the  wonderful 
medicine-dances,  then  all  my  people  will  go  to 
his  village,  for  it  is  where  the  great  medicine- 
trophy  is  kept,"  replied  Straight  Feather. 

"What  is  this  great  medicine-trophy?"  in- 
quired Little  Raven. 

"You  are  my  brother,  but  I  cannot  tell  you, 
for  you  say  you  are  a  Sioux.  It  was  brought 
to  my  people  a  very  long  time  ago." 

At  daylight  the  camp  was  the  scene  of 
bustling  activity.  The  squaws  took  down 
and  packed  the  lodges;  the  boys  brought  in 
the  horses,  the  warriors  rode  about  shouting 
instructions,  and  the  old  women  abused 
everybody  who  interfered  with  their  attempt 
to  cook  the  morning  meal.  Soon  after  sunrise, 
however,  the  various  tasks  were  completed  and 
the  entire  tribe  started  upon  the  trail. 

The  cavalcade  was  an  interesting  one. 
First  went  a  picked  company  of  scouts. 
Then  followed  Two  Moons  and  the  messen- 
ger from  Yellow  Cloud.  After  them  rode  the 

206 


THE   CAPTIVE 

main  company  of  warriors.  A  short  distance 
behind  the  fighting  -  men  came  the  pack- 
horses,  carrying  the  camp  equipment,  the  old 
people,  and  most  of  the  women  and  children. 
Another  company  of  warriors  followed  far 
in  the  rear;  and  on  either  flank  rode  small 
parties  of  young  lads,  watching  eagerly  for 
any  sort  of  game  that  might  show  itself. 

Little  Raven  rode  just  behind  the  warriors, 
in  company  with  Straight  Feather  and  a 
number  of  young  Pawnees.  His  mount  was 
an  aged  buckskin  which  plainly  showed  the 
evidences  of  long  and  continuous  abuse. 
It  was  wind-broken  and  lame,  and  the  young 
Sioux  realized  that  with  such  a  steed  beneath 
him  all  chance  of  escape  was  gone. 

"Why  does  the  great  chief  Two  Moons 
give  his  son  a  horse  which  should  carry  an 
old  man?"  he  asked,  banteringly,  as  Straight 
Feather  rode  beside  him. 

"That  pony  has  carried  my  father  in  many 
battles.  I  have  heard  him  tell  about  it.  My 
horse  has  never  been  in  battle.  Only  war- 
riors ride  the  war-ponies.  It  is  good;  Two 
Moons  has  a  good  heart  for  his  son  Little 
Raven.  He  has  given  him  this  great  war- 
pony/'  Straight  Feather  replied,  craftily. 

207 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Three  days  the  Pawnees  traveled  toward  the 
north,  and  then  they  came  to  a  river  and 
turned  toward  the  west.  Late  that  day  two 
warriors,  who  had  crossed  the  river  to  look  for 
buffaloes,  returned  and  said  that  a  small 
party  of  Cheyennes  were  encamped  a  short 
distance  away.  When  he  heard  this  Two 
Moons  ordered  a  halt  and  called  a  council. 
The  Pawnees  decided  to  attack  the  Cheyenne 
camp  under  cover  of  the  night,  in  the  hope  of 
running  off  the  ponies. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark,  therefore,  the  war- 
riors who  had  agreed  to  go  crossed  the  river 
and  scattered  to  surround  their  foes.  It  was 
not  long  before  their  triumphant  war-whoops 
rang  through  the  night,  and  the  anxious 
listeners  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  water 
knew  that  they  had  been  successful.  Shortly 
afterward  they  returned  with  five  ponies 
which  they  had  captured  from  the  Cheyennes. 
The  Pawnees  said  that  although  they  had 
completely  surprised  the  Cheyennes,  three  of 
the  latter  had  fought  their  way  through  the 
circle  and  made  their  escape. 

"It  is  bad,"  said  Two  Moons,  when  he 
learned  what  had  happened.  "Those  war- 
riors will  tell  this  thing  to  their  people. 

208 


THE    CAPTIVE 

The  Cheyennes  are  very  brave.  I  believe 
they  will  gather  a  big  war  party  and  come  to 
fight  us." 

The  following  day  the  Pawnees  forded  the 
river  and  continued  their  journey  across  the 
plain.  They  heard  nothing  of  the  expected 
war  party  until  late  in  the  day,  and  then  the 
scouts  who  had  been  riding  far  in  the  rear 
dashed  up  with  news  of  a  great  company  of 
mounted  warriors  approaching  from  the  east. 

"It  is  the  war  party!"  cried  the  Pawnees. 

The  cry  threw  the  entire  company  into  a 
state  of  great  excitement.  The  shouts  of  the 
warriors,  the  frightened  cries  of  the  women 
and  children,  the  yelping  of  the  dogs,  and 
the  neighing  of  the  ponies  were  combined 
in  a  deafening  uproar.  For  some  moments 
all  was  confusion.  Then  Two  Moons  mounted 
his  favorite  white  war-pony  and  took  com- 
mand. His  voice  rang  out  sharp  and  forceful 
above  the  clamor,  and  the  tumult  was  in- 
stantly stilled.  When  he  had  gained  the 
attention  of  the  people  he  briefly  outlined  his 
plan  of  action.  The  main  camp,  under  the 
protection  of  the  old  men  and  a  small  com- 
pany of  scouts,  was  to  flee  toward  the  foot- 
hills while  the  warriors  went  to  fight  the 

*4  209 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Cheyennes.  As  the  latter  were  already  with- 
in sight,  there  was  not  a  moment  to  spare. 
Raising  the  piercing  battle-cry  of  their  na- 
tion, Two  Moons  and  his  fighting-men  raced 
across  the  plain  to  meet  their  foes,  and  the 
women  and  children,  accompanied  by  their 
escort  of  men  and  boys,  fled  wildly  toward 
the  west. 

For  a  moment  Little  Raven  believed  that 
the  opportunity  for  which  he  had  waited  so 
long  was  at  hand.  But  when  Standing  Elk, 
the  medicine-man,  was  given  command  of  the 
little  force  detailed  to  protect  the  camp  his 
hopes  died.  He  realized  that  that  wily  foe 
would  take  every  precaution  against  his  es- 
cape, and  he  knew  that  the  vengeful  Pawnee 
would  be  quick  to  seize  upon  an  excuse  to 
destroy  him.  Therefore,  the  young  Sioux 
determined  to  take  no  chances,  for  he  felt 
sure  that  his  life  would  be  the  penalty  for  an 
unsuccessful  attempt  to  get  away. 

Straight  Feather  and  some  of  the  older 
lads  had  gone  with  the  war  party,  and  Little 
Raven  found  himself  riding  alone  in  the 
midst  of  a  frightened  company  of  chattering 
squaws  and  crying  children.  They  were 
followed  by  the  warriors  who  had  been  sent 

210 


THE    CAPTIVE 

to  protect  them,  while  on  either  side  rode  the 
old  men  and  the  young  boys.  Standing  Elk 
kept  close  to  the  young  Sioux,  and  the  lad 
smiled  grimly  as  he  realized  the  significance  of 
his  precaution.  The  retreat  was  continued 
until  the  end  of  the  day,  and  then  the  refugees 
stopped  for  the  night  in  a  dense  stand  of 
timber  far  to  the  west  of  the  scene  of  battle. 

At  daylight  they  resumed  their  journey, 
and  shortly  after  sunrise  the  war  party  over- 
took them.  Having  won  a  decisive  victory 
and  captured  many  ponies,  the  Pawnees  were 
greatly  elated.  They  approached,  singing 
their  war-songs  and  waving  their  trophies. 
Several  noted  warriors  had  been  killed  in  the 
fight,  however,  and  when  the  people  learned 
this,  the  rejoicing  gave  way  to  wailing  and 
lamenting. 

"It  was  a  great  fight,"  Straight  Feather 
said,  enthusiastically,  as  he  rode  beside  Little 
Raven.  "My  father  was  very  brave.  His 
pony  was  killed,  and  as  he  ran  across  the 
plain  four  Cheyennes  rode  after  him.  But 
he  turned  and  killed  two  of  them.  Then  he 
jumped  upon  one  of  the  ponies  and  went 
back  into  the  fight.  I  was  right  behind  him, 
I  counted  two  coups." 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"It  is  good;  you  are  a  warrior,'*  replied 
Little  Raven. 

At  sunset  the  Pawnees  went  into  camp 
beside  a  large  stream  whose  banks  were 
clothed  with  a  splendid  growth  of  willows. 
As  they  unpacked  and  set  up  the  lodges, 
Little  Raven  believed  that  they  intended  to 
remain  there  several  days. 

"Yes,  we  will  wait  here  for  Lazy  Horse 
and  his  people,  who  will  come  from  the  west. 
Then  we  will  go  to  the  foot-hills  to  meet 
Yellow  Cloud,"  Straight  Feather  explained. 

Early  the  following  day  Lazy  Horse  and 
his  people  arrived.  The  two  tribes  decided 
to  remain  at  the  stream  another  day  to  rest 
the  ponies  and  to  celebrate  Two  Moons' 
victory  over  the  Cheyennes.  Lazy  Horse 
said  that  a  party  of  his  hunters  had  turned 
off  toward  the  south  to  follow  a  small  herd 
of  buffaloes.  Shortly  after  midday  these  war- 
riors rode  into  camp,  each  leading  a  pack- 
horse  loaded  with  meat.  They  said  that  one 
of  their  companions  had  been  caught  in  the 
herd.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  this 
man  galloped  safely  into  camp.  He  brought 
great  news.  He  said  that  he  had  discovered 
a  very  large  war  party  a  day's  journey  to  the 

212 


THE   CAPTIVE 

south.  But  as  the  riders  were  a  long  dis- 
tance away  he  had  been  unable  to  identify 
them. 

"They  are  Cheyennes,"  said  Two  Moons. 
"This  will  be  a  big  battle." 

Then  he  called  all  the  warriors  in  council 
and  organized  a  great  war  party.  A  short 
time  afterward  two-thirds  of  the  fighting-men 
of  both  tribes  rode  away  under  the  combined 
leadership  of  Two  Moons  and  Lazy  Horse. 
The  balance  of  the  warriors  were  left  to  pro- 
tect the  camp.  This  time  the  medicine-man 
went  with  the  war  party,  and  Little  Raven 
hoped  he  had  seen  the  last  of  him. 

"I  have  become  a  man.  I  am  going  to 
fight.  I  will  be  brave  like  my  father," 
Straight  Feather  told  Little  Raven. 

He  galloped  away  on  one  of  Two  Moons' 
favorite  war-ponies,  and  the  young  Sioux 
watched  him  with  real  affection.  He  had 
learned  to  look  upon  this  loyal  young  Pawnee 
as  his  friend,  and  he  believed  that  if  the 
proper  opportunity  presented  itself  Straight 
Feather  might  aid  him  to  escape. 

At  the  end  of  the  third  day  the  war  party 
returned.  They  brought  many  captured 
ponies  and  several  Cheyenne  prisoners,  but 

213 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  glory  of  their  victory  was  overshadowed 
by  grief.  Two  Moons  and  many  of  the  most 
notable  warriors  of  the  tribe  had  been  killed. 

"It  was  a  great  victory,  but  my  heart  is 
filled  with  clouds.  My  father  has  gone  on 
the  Long  Trail.  He  was  a  very  brave  war- 
rior," Straight  Feather  said,  bitterly. 

"It  is  true.  Two  Moons  was  a  great  chief 
and  a  fearless  warrior.  I  am  a  Sioux,  but  I 
sat  in  his  lodge;  that  is  why  I  am  crying  in 
my  heart/'  Little  Raven  replied. 

"Now  I  know  that  we  are  brothers,"  de- 
clared Straight  Feather. 

As  he  saw  nothing  of  the  medicine-man, 
Little  Raven  believed  that  he  had  been 
killed.  The  hope  was  a  false  one,  however, 
for  when  he  questioned  Straight  Feather  the 
latter  said  that,  having  passed  through  the 
encounter  unharmed,  Standing  Elk  had  gath- 
ered a  small  war  party  and  had  gone  in  pur- 
suit of  the  fleeing  Cheyennes. 

"He  is  very  brave  and  very  wise;  perhaps 
he  will  become  our  chief,"  said  Straight 
Feather,  looking  sharply  at  the  young  Sioux. 

Little  Raven  remained  silent.  The  thought 
filled  him  with  despair.  He  knew  that,  once 
in  power,  the  medicine-man  would  use  his  in- 

214 


THE   CAPTIVE 

fluence  against  him,  and  he  feared  the  result. 
However,  the  Sioux  lad  determined  to  banish 
the  unpleasant  possibilities  from  his  mind, 
for  he  was  unwilling  that  Straight  Feather 
should  discern  his  anxiety. 

"Tell  me  about  the  battle/'  he  said,  in  an 
endeavor  to  change  the  trend  of  thought. 

Straight  Feather  proceeded  to  give  a  vivid 
account  of  the  righting,  without,  however, 
mentioning  the  part  played  by  the  two  young 
Sioux.  He  placed  particular  emphasis  upon 
the  courage  and  skill  of  Two  Moons,  and  gave 
little  credit  to  the  Cheyenne  medicine-man 
who  had  killed  him.  But  he  said  noth- 
ing about  the  timely  rescue  of  that  bold 
warrior  by  the  Sioux,  and  Little  Raven  was 
unaware  that  his  own  people  had  participated 
in  the  battle. 

The  next  day  the  Pawnees  left  two  scouts 
to  watch  their  back  trail  and  resumed  their 
journey  under  the  leadership  of  Lazy  Horse. 
They  made  their  way  across  the  plain  in 
gloomy  silence.  The  death  of  their  chief 
weighed  heavily  upon  them  and  they  were 
disheartened  and  depressed.  Little  Raven 
felt  pity  for  the  Cheyenne  captives,  as  he 
knew  that  they  would  be  made  to  pay  the 

215 


THE    RED   ARROW 

penalty  for  the  killing  of  Two  Moons  and 
his  warriors. 

At  sunset  the  travelers  came  in  sight  of 
Yellow  Cloud* s  camp.  As  they  approached,  a 
delegation  of  warriors  rode  out  to  meet  them, 
beating  their  war-drums  and  singing  songs  of 
welcome.  When  they  learned  of  the  death  of 
Two  Moons,  however,  they  became  silent  and 
sorrowful.  Their  angry  glances  toward  the 
captives  told  all  too  plainly  of  the  fate  which 
awaited  those  unhappy  victims.  But  the 
Cheyennes  looked  defiantly  into  the  eyes 
which  threatened  them,  and  the  young  Sioux 
was  much  impressed. 

11  Those  Cheyennes  are  very  brave  war- 
riors/' he  told  Straight  Feather. 

The  young  Pawnee  smiled  scornfully,  and 
remained  silent. 

The  following  day,  when  Standing  Elk  and 
the  warriors  who  had  pursued  the  Cheyennes 
arrived,  Little  Raven  saw  at  once  that  some- 
thing was  wrong.  The  medicine-man  and  his 
companions  seemed  greatly  excited,  and  from 
the  angry  glances  which  they  turned  upon  him 
the  young  Sioux  believed  that  he  was  in  some 
way  involved  in  their  ill  humor.  He  had 
little  doubt  that  Standing  Elk  had  already 


THE    CAPTIVE 

made  plans  for  destroying  him,  and  he  be- 
lieved that  unless  he  could  escape  from  the 
camp  he  was  doomed. 

That  night  Yellow  Cloud  called  a  great 
council,  and  Little  Raven  wondered  whether 
his  fate  would  be  linked  with  that  of  the 
unfortunate  Cheyennes.  He  felt  sure  that 
Straight  Feather  would  attempt  to  save  him, 
but  as  the  latter  had  only  just  earned  recog- 
nition as  a  warrior,  Little  Raven  feared  that 
the  young  Pawnee's  word  would  have  little 
influence.  Still,  he  refused  to  give  way  to 
despair.  Seating  himself  before  the  entrance 
of  Two  Moons'  lodge,  he  waited  patiently  for 
Straight  Feather,  from  whom  he  hoped  to 
learn  the  secret  of  the  evil  looks. 

The  night  was  far  gone  when  the  young 
Sioux  was  roused  by  the  hooting  of  an  owl 
far  away  to  the  west  of  the  camp.  His 
heart  bounded  wildly  at  the  sound,  and  he 
listened  anxiously  in  the  hope  of  hearing  the 
call  repeated.  A  long  interval  of  wearying 
suspense  intervened,  and  then  the  melancholy 
notes  again  echoed  faintly  across  the  plain. 
Little  Raven  became  greatly  agitated.  He 
was  forced  to  conceal  his  emotion,  however, 
as  he  was  within  sight  of  many  people,  and 


THE    RED   ARROW 

he  knew  that,  once  their  suspicions  were 
aroused,  all  chance  of  escape  would  be  lost. 
The  anxious  lad  feigned  a  careless  indifference, 
therefore,  while  he  strained  his  ears  for  the 
final  call  which  would  tell  him  whether  his 
hope  was  real  or  false.  At  last,  after  a  long, 
torturing  wait  which  had  sapped  the  courage 
from  his  heart,  he  heard  the  notes  the  third 
time.  At  that  instant,  however,  the  dogs 
caught  the  sound  and  began  to  bark,  and  the 
call  ceased  abruptly.  Then  Little  Raven 
recognized  it  as  a  signal  from  his  brother, 
Sun  Bird,  and  his  excitement  almost  betrayed 
him.  He  was  overjoyed,  as  he  realized  that 
at  last  his  people  had  come  to  his  assistance. 
However,  he  knew  that  he  must  carefully 
guard  the  secret,  for  he  believed  that  upon 
learning  that  his  tribesmen  were  near,  the 
Pawnees  would  kill  him  at  once.  Little  Raven 
knew  that  his  first  task  would  be  to  com- 
municate with  his  friends,  and  he  searched 
his  brain  for  a  plan.  It  promised  to  be  a 
difficult  problem,  and  he  wondered  whether 
it  would  be  wise  to  take  Straight  Feather  into 
his  confidence. 

At  that  moment  the  young  Pawnee  re- 
turned   from    the    council    circle.     He    was 

218 


THE    CAPTIVE 

gloomy  and  thoughtful,  and  Little  Raven 
feared  that  he  was  the  bearer  of  bad  news. 
The  Sioux  wondered  whether  Standing  Elk 
had  accomplished  his  purpose.  For  some 
time  the  lads  sat  beside  each  other  in  silence. 
Then  Straight  Feather  rose  and  entered  the 
lodge.  A  few  moments  later  he  called  Little 
Raven. 

"You  are  my  brother;  I  will  tell  you  what 
is  in  my  heart,"  he  said,  as  the  young  Sioux 
seated  himself  beside  him.  "When  we  fought 
the  Cheyennes  we  saw  two  Sioux.  They 
were  very  brave.  They  killed  many  of  my 
people.  After  the  battle  we  looked  for  them, 
but  they  escaped.  Crooked  Horns  and  Whis- 
tling Bear,  who  waited  behind  when  we  left 
the  stream,  saw  them  hiding  in  a  ravine. 
They  told  Standing  Elk  and  his  war  party. 
Standing  Elk  said,  'It  is  good;  we  will  sur- 
round them  when  it  is  dark/  But  when  they 
surrounded  the  place  the  Sioux  were  not 
there.  The  medicine-man  is  very  mad.  He 
has  told  the  Pawnees  how  those  Sioux  killed 
many  of  my  people.  He  says  the  Sioux  are 
our  enemies.  He  says  the  Pawnees  must  kill 
them.  He  says  you  are  a  Sioux.  Yellow 
Cloud's  people  were  very  mad,  and  they  said, 

219 


THE   RED  ARROW 

'What  Standing  Elk  says  is  true;  the  Sioux 
must  die  with  the  Cheyennes.'  But  my 
people  said:  'No,  we  will  not  do  this  thing. 
Two  Moons  was  a  great  chief — Little  Raven 
is  his  son — no,  you  must  not  do  this  thing/ 
But  if  you  stay  here  Standing  Elk  will  make 
them  mad  against  you.  You  must  escape. 
You  have  saved  my  life — I  will  help  you." 

11 1  have  listened  to  your  words,  and  I  know 
that  you  are  my  friend.  I  will  tell  you  some- 
thing. I  have  heard  the  call  of  the  great 
night-bird.  It  is  good;  I  know  it  is  a  signal 
from  my  brother/'  said  Little  Raven. 

"Now  I  know  about  it,"  replied  Straight 
Feather.  "Those  two  Sioux  have  followed 
us.  I  believe  they  are  hiding  in  the  foot- 
hills. I  will  not  tell  this  thing.  No;  I  will 
help  you." 

The  two  lads  spent  the  following  day  dis- 
cussing various  plans  for  Little  Raven's  es- 
cape. The  Pawnees  had  decided  to  put  the 
Cheyennes  to  death  that  night,  and  the  young 
Sioux  thought  that  would  be  the  safest  time  to 
attempt  to  get  away.  Straight  Feather,  how- 
ever, frowned  upon  the  plan.  He  said  that 
Standing  Elk  might  have  guessed  that  Little 
Raven  had  been  warned  of  his  evil  intentions. 

220 


THE   CAPTIVE 

Then  he  would  be  on  his  guard,  and  the  young 
Pawnee  declared  that  they  would  be  closely 
watched  until  daylight.  He  cautioned  Little 
Raven  to  do  nothing  until  he  could  plan  a 
way  to  save  him. 

"You  are  my  friend;  I  will  do  as  you  say," 
agreed  the  young  Sioux. 

When  it  was  dark  the  Pawnees  made  prepa- 
rations for  the  ceremonies  which  would  end 
the  lives  of  the  Cheyenne  captives.  Little 
Raven  was  much  affected  as  he  saw  the  brave- 
hearted  warriors  led  out  to  meet  their  fate. 
They  showed  no  fear,  however,  and  as  they 
were  escorted  to  the  spot  selected  for  their 
execution  they  raised  their  voices  in  the  ring- 
ing war-cry  of  their  nation. 

While  the  Pawnees  were  yelling  and  dancing 
about  their  helpless  victims  Little  Raven  again 
heard  the  signal  from  the  west.  It  drove 
the  horrible  scene  from  his  mind  and  filled 
his  heart  with  courage.  A  significant  glance 
from  Straight  Feather  convinced  him  that  he, 
too,  had  heard  the  call.  A  short  time  after- 
ward he  saw  the  young  Pawnee  talking  ear- 
nestly with  some  of  the  most  influential  men 
of  the  tribe,  and  he  believed  that  the  wily 
lad  was  already  busy  with  a  plan  for  saving 

221 


THE    RED   ARROW 

him  from  the  vengeance  of  the  medicine- 
man. 

"It  is  good;  now  I  know  how  to  do  this 
thing, "  Straight  Feather  said,  exultantly, 
when  they  finally  retired  to  the  lodge.  "At 
the  next  sun  I  will  lead  a  party  to  the  foot- 
hills to  hunt.  You  will  go;  the  people  of  my 
tribe  have  said  it.  I  have  said  I  will  never 
try  to  kill  you.  Keep  those  words  in  your 
heart.  Perhaps  you  will  escape.  But  you 
must  not  kill  my  friends/1 

"You  are  my  brother.  I  will  remember  it. 
No,  I  will  not  kill  your  friends.  I  will  tell 
my  brother  about  it.  But  if  I  escape  Stand- 
ing Elk  may  kill  you,"  Little  Raven  replied, 
uneasily. 

"I  am  the  son  of  Two  Moons;  I  have 
counted  coups  in  battle — my  people  will  lis- 
ten to  my  words/'  Straight  Feather  declared, 
proudly. 


XVI 

THE  ESCAPE 

THE  sun  was  barely  above  the  rim  of  the 
plain  when  the  young  Sioux,  watching  from 
the  timber,  saw  five  horsemen  leave  the  camp 
and  turn  their  ponies  toward  the  foot-hills. 
They  watched  them  with  considerable  anxi- 
ety, and,  as  the  riders  seemed  to  be  making 
directly  toward  their  hiding-place,  the  lads 
wondered  whether  they  had  been  discovered. 
They  waited  in  nervous  suspense  to  see  if  the 
horsemen  would  continue  in  their  course. 
When  they  came  within  arrow-range,  how- 
ever, they  turned  abruptly  toward  the  south 
and  rode  along  parallel  with  the  low  range  of 
hills.  At  that  moment  the  Sioux  saw  that 
these  horsemen  were  lads  no  older  than  them- 
selves. 

"See,  that  rider  on  the  spotted  pony  wears 
his  hair  in  two  braids !"  White  Otter  whis- 
pered, excitedly.  "He  is  not  a  Pawnee." 

223 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"He  is  my  brother,  Little  Raven/'  Sun 
Bird  said,  quietly. 

Then  he  crept  carefully  into  the  bushes 
along  the  edge  of  the  plain  and  whistled  the 
song  of  the  white-crowned  sparrow.  The 
lad  on  the  spotted  pony  raised  his  hand  to  his 
hair,  and  Sun  Bird  knew  that  he  had  heard 
and  interpreted  the  signal. 

"  Little  Raven  has  sharp  ears/'  he  said  as 
he  rejoined  his  companion. 

The  riders  having  passed,  the  Sioux  rose 
and  moved  cautiously  along  in  the  shelter  of 
the  trees.  They  were  at  a  loss  to  know 
exactly  what  Little  Raven  would  do,  but 
they  felt  confident  that  he  was  carrying  out 
some  carefully  planned  stratagem.  They  kept 
within  bow-range,  therefore,  prepared  to  ren- 
der assistance  whenever  it  became  neces- 
sary. When  the  Pawnees  finally  turned  and 
rode  to  the  edge  of  the  timber  the  lads  fitted 
arrows  to  their  bows  and  hid  in  the  bushes 
close  at  hand.  They  expected  Little  Raven  to 
make  a  bold  dash  for  liberty,  and  to  strength- 
en his  confidence  Sun  Bird  repeated  his  signal. 
A  moment  later,  however,  the  Sioux  looked 
at  each  other  in  amazement,  as  Little  Raven 
dismounted  and  surrendered  his  pony  to  one 

224 


THE    ESCAPE 

of  the  Pawnees.  Then  the  three  other  Paw- 
nees dismounted,  and  Little  Raven  accom- 
panied them  into  the  timber. 

"I  do  not  know  this  thing/'  whispered 
White  Otter,  in  much  surprise.  "It  is  bad. 
If  we  run  out  and  capture  the  ponies  the 
Pawnees  may  kill  Little  Raven." 

"Wait,"  cautioned  Sun  Bird. 

They  began  to  study  the  young  Pawnee 
who  guarded  the  ponies.  He  was  a  well-built 
youth  about  their  own  age,  and  the  eagle 
feather  in  his  scalp-lock  told  them  that  he 
had  achieved  success  on  the  war-trail. 

"I  believe  he  is  the  leader,"  said  White 
Otter. 

"  It  is  a  hunting-party,"  explained  Sun  Bird. 

Then  the  young  Pawnee  turned  toward  the 
woods,  and  the  Sioux  saw  Little  Raven  appear 
at  the  edge  of  the  timber.  They  believed 
that  he  was  about  to  make  his  escape  and 
their  eyes  lighted  with  excitement.  But  as 
Little  Raven  advanced  toward  the  Pawnee 
the  lads  saw  that  he  limped  painfully.  Then 
the  whole  daring  stratagem  suggested  itself 
to  their  minds.  Having  accompanied  the 
young  Pawnees  to  the  foot-hills,  the  wily  lad 
had  feigned  injury  in  the  hope  of  gaining 
15  225 


THE    RED   ARROW 

possession  of  the  ponies.  That  the  crafty 
trick  would  be  successful  was  apparent  when 
the  Pawnee  gave  up  the  horses  and  hurried 
into  the  woods,  apparently  rejoicing  in  the 
opportunity  to  join  the  hunt. 

Once  the  Pawnee  had  disappeared,  Little 
Raven  looked  expectantly  along  the  edge  of 
the  plain.  Then  as  he  again  heard  the  notes 
of  the  little  bush-bird  he  led  the  ponies  slowly 
toward  the  sound.  Realizing  that  their  op- 
portunity was  at  hand,  the  Sioux  crept  for- 
ward to  meet  him. 

"I  have  heard  you,  my  brother.  Come, 
we  will  escape,"  Little  Raven  said  in  a  low 
tone  as  Sun  Bird  hailed  him. 

"It  is  good,"  Sun  Bird  said,  hurriedly. 
"  But  tell  me,  is  there  in  the  Pawnee  medicine- 
lodge  a  Red  Arrow  which  is  worth  many 
ponies?" 

"Come,  first  we  must  ride  away.  Then 
I  will  tell  you  about  it,"  Little  Raven  replied, 
impatiently. 

"No,  I  must  know  this  thing,"  declared 
White  Otter  as  Sun  Bird  turned  to  him. 

"You  have  heard  my  words.  Is  this  great 
medicine-trophy  in  the  Pawnee  camp?"  in- 
sisted Sun  Bird. 

226 


THE    ESCAPE 

"No,  it  is  in  the  camp  of  the  great  war- 
chief  Crazy  Bear,  many  suns'  travel  toward 
the  south.  Are  we  women  that  we  stand 
here  talking  about  these  things?"  cried  Little 
Raven. 

"Now  I  will  go,"  said  White  Otter. 

The  lads  mounted  the  three  best  ponies 
and  rode  slowly  away  from  the  timber,  taking 
the  two  remaining  horses  with  them.  They 
were  almost  out  of  arrow-range  when  they 
heard  a  ringing  shout  behind  them.  Realiz- 
ing that  they  had  been  discovered,  they  lashed 
the  ponies  into  a  gallop  and  rode  boldly  away 
toward  the  south. 

"See,  the  warriors  have  seen  this  thing," 
cried  White  Otter,  pointing  toward  the 
camp. 

Glancing  over  their  shoulders,  the  lads  saw 
a  number  of  riders  racing  wildly  across  the 
plain.  Other  horsemen  were  rounding  up 
stray  bunches  of  ponies,  and  the  Sioux  knew 
that  they  would  be  hotly  pursued.  They 
heard  the  young  Pawnees  yelling  excitedly  at 
the  edge  of  the  timber,  and  they  turned  and 
shook  their  weapons  at  them. 

"Come,  we  must  ride  fast,"  cried  White 
Otter,  "The  Pawnees  have  better  ponies," 

227 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"It  is  true/ V  replied  Little  Raven.  "The 
war-ponies  are  very  swift." 

The  Sioux  had  a  substantial  lead,  but  it 
was  more  than  offset  by  the  speedier  ponies 
of  their  pursuers.  The  Pawnees  gained  stead- 
ily, and  at  the  end  of  the  day  the  leaders  were 
almost  within  arrow-range.  The  lads  real- 
ized that,  once  brought  to  bay,  they  would  in- 
stantly be  surrounded  and  attacked  on  all 
sides.  As  the  plain  was  bare  and  shelterless, 
they  knew  that  in  such  a  one-sided  battle 
they  would  soon  be  annihilated.  Their  one 
hope,  therefore,  was  to  hold  off  the  Pawnees 
until  dark.  The  Sioux  had  already  abandoned 
the  two  slower  animals,  and  now  as  the  twi- 
light shadows  gathered  they  urged  their 
ponies  to  the  breaking-point  in  a  final  effort 
to  escape  from  their  foes. 

The  Pawnees,  however,  were  making  equal- 
ly strenuous  efforts  to  get  within  bow-shot. 
They  knew  that  unless  they  could  force  the 
Sioux  to  a  stand  before  night  closed  down 
their  long  chase  had  been  in  vain.  But  the 
light  was  fading  fast,  and  each  moment  les- 
sened their  chances  of  success.  The  mere 
thought  of  defeat  drove  them  into  a  frenzy. 
Uttering  wild  yells  of  rage,  they  lashed  their 

228 


THE   ESCAPE 

exhausted  ponies  into  a  killing  sprint  in  the 
hope  of  overtaking  the  daring  lads  who  had 
outwitted  them. 

"The  Pawnee  horses  are  near,  but  they 
have  left  their  speed  upon  the  plain/'  White 
Otter  cried,  encouragingly. 

At  that  instant  one  of  the  leaders  collapsed, 
throwing  its  rider  heavily  to  the  ground. 
The  Sioux  took  heart  as  they  realized  that 
the  Pawnee  ponies  had  expended  their 
strength. 

''That  warrior  who  fell  is  Standing  Elk. 
He  is  a  great  leader,"  said  Little  Raven. 

"It  is  good;  perhaps  the  others  will  stop/' 
replied  Sun  Bird. 

The  hope  was  vain,  however,  for  the  Paw- 
nees were  not  to  be  discouraged.  It  was 
evident  that  they  would  continue  the  pursuit 
as  long  as  their  horses  kept  their  feet.  Night 
was  almost  at  hand,  but  the  captured  ponies 
were  gasping  pitifully  and  the  lads  feared 
that  they  would  collapse  at  any  moment. 
They  were  holding  their  lead,  however,  and 
the  Sioux  made  no  attempt  to  force  them. 

Then  darkness  came  to  their  aid,  and  they 
were  hidden  from  their  foes.  Determined  to 
make  the  most  of  their  advantage,  they  turned 

229 


THE    RED   ARROW 

abruptly  toward  the  east  in  the  hope  of 
throwing  the  Pawnees  from  their  trail.  When 
they  believed  that  they  were  safe  from  pur- 
suit the  lads  stopped  and  dismounted.  They 
listened  anxiously,  but  the  peace  of  the  night 
was  undisturbed  and  they  believed  that  the 
Pawnees  had  decided  to  postpone  further 
pursuit  until  daylight.  Realizing  the  neces- 
sity of  placing  as  much  distance  as  possible 
between  their  foes  and  themselves,  the  Sioux 
trudged  wearily  over  the  plain,  dragging  their 
drooping  ponies  behind  them.  They  had  not 
gone  far,  however,  when  they  heard  the  call 
of  the  gray  wolf,  far  off  to  the  west  of  them. 
A  few  moments  later  they  heard  an  answer  in 
the  same  direction,  and  their  spirits  rose  at 
the  sound. 

"It  is  good,"  declared  Sun  Bird.  "The 
Pawnees  are  far  away.  We  have  fooled 
them." 

A  short  distance  farther  on  they  came  to  a 
small  stand  of  willows,  and  as  they  found  a 
tiny  pool  they  decided  to  camp  there  until 
dawn.  They  attended  the  exhausted  ponies, 
and  then  they  spent  some  time  listening  at 
the  edge  of  the  plain.  But  as  they  heard 
nothing  to  indicate  that  the  Pawnees  had 

230 


THE    ESCAPE 

found  their  trail,  they  believed  that  they  were 
safe  until  daylight.  They  seated  themselves 
in  the  little  grove  and  ate  some  dried  meat 
which  Little  Raven  had  smuggled  from  the 
Pawnee  camp.  Then  he  told  his  experiences, 
and  how  Straight  Feather  had  made  it  pos- 
sible for  him  to  escape. 


XVII 

THE  COUNTRY  OF  THE  EVIL   SPIRITS 

WHEN  the  Sioux  failed  to  see  anything 
of  their  foes  at  dawn  they  felt  quite 
certain  that  the  Pawnees  were  searching  for 
them  near  the  foot-hills.  Reassured  by  the 
thought,  the  lads  decided  to  tarry  at  their 
camp  site  until  both  they  and  their  ponies 
were  thoroughly  rested.  While  Little  Raven 
watched,  therefore,  White  Otter  and  Sun 
Bird  surrendered  to  their  exhaustion  and  fell 
into  a  heavy  slumber. 

The  day  was  more  than  two-thirds  gone 
when  they  finally  awakened  and  looked  anx- 
iously about  the  plain.  When  they  ques- 
tioned Little  Raven  he  said  that  he  had  seen 
nothing  except  a  band  of  antelope  far  away 
to  the  west. 

"The  deer  have  outwitted  the  wolves, " 
laughed  Sun  Bird. 

White  Otter  showed  little  enthusiasm.  He 
232 


THE    EVIL   SPIRITS 

was  silent  and  thoughtful  and  seemed  to  be 
much  distressed.  Sun  Bird  studied  him  with 
grave  concern.  It  was  the  first  time  he  had 
seen  his  friend  in  this  mood,  and  he  wondered 
whether  White  Otter  was  weakening  in  his 
resolve.  But  the  mere  thought  seemed  un- 
worthy of  a  Sioux,  and  Sun  Bird  drove  it  from 
his  mind.  At  last  he  asked  the  dejected  lad 
the  reason  for  his  low  spirits. 

"You  have  found  your  brother;  it  is  good. 
You  will  return  to  your  people.  I  must  go  to 
Crazy  Bear's  village  to  find  the  Red  Arrow. 
It  is  a  dangerous  journey;  I  will  not  ask  you 
to  go.  I  may  never  see  you  again.  My 
heart  is  filled  with  clouds, "  White  Otter  said, 
gloomily. 

"Now  I  know  this  thing, "  cried  Sun  Bird. 
"We  are  brothers.  Does  a  Sioux  turn  from 
the  war-trail  and  leave  his  brother?  It  is 
not  in  my  heart.  You  have  said  you  will 
go  to  Crazy  Bear's  village.  It  is  good;  we 
will  do  this  thing.  When  you  have  found 
the  Red  Arrow,  then  I  will  return  to  my 
people/1 

"You  have  spoken  the  words  of  a  brave 
warrior,"  said  White  Otter.  "You  have 
driven  the  clouds  from  my  heart.  If  we  do 

233 


THE    RED   ARROW 

this  great  thing  I  will  tell  my  people  about 
you." 

"Sun  Bird  has  told  you  what  is  in  my 
heart,"  declared  Little  Raven.  "I  will  go  to 
Crazy  Bear's  village.  Perhaps  I  shall  be- 


come a  warrior. " 


Having  pledged  themselves  to  remain  to- 
gether, the  lads  proceeded  to  hold  a  council 
of  war.  Little  Raven  said  Straight  Feather 
had  told  him  that  Crazy  Bear's  village  was 
five  suns'  travel  south  of  Two  Moons'  original 
camp.  The  young  Pawnee  had  also  told  him 
that  to  reach  the  Pawnee  village  it  was 
necessary  to  cross  the  Country  of  the  Evil 
Spirits. 

"Tell  us  about  that  place,"  urged  Sun  Bird. 

Little  Raven  said  that  the  Pawnees  told 
many  gloomy  tales  about  a  strange  country 
far  to  the  south,  which  was  the  dwelling- 
place  of  all  the  Evil  Spirits.  The  old  men 
said  that  these  Evil  People  had  emptied  all 
the  springs,  destroyed  all  the  vegetation,  and 
killed  all  the  game.  Then  they  had  excavated 
holes  and  caverns  in  the  rocks,  into  which  they 
had  withdrawn  to  lie  in  wait  for  the  unwary 
traveler  who  might  venture  into  their  coun- 
try. The  Pawnees  declared  that  many  of 

234 


THE    EVIL   SPIRITS 

their  people  had  fallen  victims  to  these  war- 
like spirits,  until  Owl  Chief,  a  famous  medi- 
cine-man of  Crazy  Bear's  tribe,  finally  made 
a  truce  between  the  Evil  Spirits  and  all  the 
Pawnees.  Then  the  Evil  People  poured  the 
water  back  into  two  springs,  one  for  each 
day's  journey  through  their  country,  and 
planted  grass  about  the  borders  of  each  pool. 
The  grass  soon  withered  and  died,  however, 
and  the  head  chief  of  the  Evil  Spirits  told 
Owl  Chief  that  when  his  people  desired  to 
pass  through  that  country  they  must  carry 
food  for  themselves  and  their  ponies.  Then, 
according  to  the  Pawnees,  the  Evil  People 
showed  Owl  Chief  the  trail  through  their 
country.  Owl  Chief  was  warned  that  if  he 
marked  or  in  any  way  designated  this  high- 
way, except  by  telling  it  to  his  people,  the 
pools  would  be  drained  and  the  Evil  People 
would  bring  torture  and  death  to  all  who 
attempted  to  follow  him.  The  Pawnees 
claimed,  therefore,  that  none  but  they  could 
travel  safely  through  the  desolate  Country 
of  the  Evil  Spirits. 

White  Otter  and  Sun  Bird  listened  to  the 
strange  tale  with  grave  attention.  When  it 
was  finished  they  sat  absorbed  in  thought. 

235 


THE    RED   ARROW 

They  shared  the  vivid  imagination  and  simple 
superstition  of  their  people,  and  the  story 
made  a  strong  impression  upon  their  minds. 
It  seemed  foolhardy  to  attempt  to  cross  that 
forbidden  country  in  the  face  of  such  a  warn- 
ing. Besides,  they  were  not  even  sure  that 
Crazy  Bear's  village  was  on  the  other  side  of 
the  barrier,  for  they  realized  that  the  young 
Pawnee  might  have  deceived  Little  Raven 
as  to  the  true  direction  of  the  camp.  But  as 
Little  Raven  had  already  proclaimed  his 
faith  in  Straight  Feather's  veracity,  they  de- 
termined to  accept  the  information  as  genu- 
ine. There  was  nothing  to  do,  therefore,  but 
to  continue.  Having  set  out  to  recover  the 
great  medicine- trophy,  they  were  determined 
that  nothing  but  death  should  stop  them. 
Little  Raven  had  been  watching  them  with 
much  interest,  and  even  before  they  spoke 
he  read  their  decision  in  the  defiant  flash  of 
their  eyes. 

"  I  have  promised  to  bring  the  Red  Arrow  to 
my  people;  I  must  go  on/'  said  White  Otter. 

"It  is  the  only  thing  to  do;  we  will  go  with 
you,"  Sun  Bird  declared,  promptly. 

"  Yes,  we  will  help  you  do  this  great  thing," 
agreed  Little  Raven. 

236 


THE    EVIL   SPIRITS 

Having  seen  nothing  to  arouse  their  sus- 
picions, the  Sioux  planned  to  remain  in  the 
grove  until  the  following  day.  Just  after 
sunset  they  saw  the  band  of  antelope  slow- 
ly approaching  the  timber.  Aware  that  they 
were  coming  to  drink  at  the  little  pool,  the  lads 
fitted  arrows  to  their  bows  and  concealed  them- 
selves at  the  edge  of  the  plain.  It  was  not  long 
before  the  unsuspecting  animals  came  within 
range,  and  the  Sioux  killed  two  young  bucks. 

"It  is  good/1  laughed  Sun  Bird,  as  they 
dragged  the  carcasses  toward  the  grove. 
"The  Great  Mystery  has  sent  us  meat." 

Feeling  safe  from  the  searching  eyes  of  their 
foes,  the  lads  made  a  small  fire  of  dry  sticks. 
Then,  to  guard  against  a  repetition  of  their 
unpleasant  experience  with  the  uncooked 
grouse,  they  dried  as  much  meat  as  they 
could  conveniently  carry. 

That  night  the  Sioux  held  a  council  to  dis- 
cuss plans  for  their  perilous  journey  to  the 
distant  Pawnee  village.  Little  Raven  de- 
clared that  they  must  first  return  to  the  site 
of  Two  Moons'  original  camp.  Then  he  said 
that  by  traveling  directly  south  they  might 
find  the  place  where  the  Pawnees  entered 
the  Country  of  the  Evil  Spirits. 

237 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"Yes,  it  is  the  best  thing  to  do,"  agreed 
White  Otter. 

Early  the  next  day  the  lads  set  out  to  find 
the  place  where  Two  Moons  and  his  people 
had  established  their  village.  By  making  a 
wide  d6tour  toward  the  east  they  finally  found 
the  trail  which  White  Otter  and  Sun  Bird  had 
followed  with  the  Cheyenne  war  party.  Then 
they  came  to  the  scene  of  the  disastrous  bat- 
tle with  the  Pawnees.  They  saw  many  grim 
reminders  of  the  tragedy,  and  they  hurried 
from  the  spot  with  heavy  hearts.  Three  days 
later  they  found  the  abandoned  Pawnee  camp 
site  on  the  bank  of  a  good-sized  river. 

"When  I  went  away  from  here  I  was  sad 
because  I  was  a  prisoner.  Now  I  have  come 
back,  but  I  am  free  and  my  heart  is  filled 
with  sunshine,"  declared  Little  Raven. 

The  Sioux  spent  the  night  at  the  deserted 
camp.  The  following  day  they  resumed 
their  journey  toward  the  south.  At  sunset 
they  killed  two  buffaloes,  and  as  they  found 
water  and  grass  close  by  they  decided  to  stop. 
Determined  to  take  every  precaution  against 
disaster,  the  lads  made  three  water-bags  from 
the  hide  of  the  buffaloes.  Each  of  these  bags 
would  hold  a  day's  supply  of  water  for  the 

238 


THE   EVIL    SPIRITS 

traveler  and  his  horse.  The  Sioux  believed 
that  by  economizing,  however,  they  might 
make  their  combined  supply  sustain  them  at 
least  three  days,  and  they  hoped  before  that 
time  elapsed  that  they  would  have  crossed 
the  Country  of  the  Evil  Spirits,  or  at  least 
have  found  one  of  the  springs. 

"My  heart  tells  me  we  will  do  this  thing," 
Sun  Bird  said,  encouragingly,  as  they  wrapped 
themselves  in  their  robes. 

"Your  words  make  me  feel  very  brave," 
replied  White  Otter. 

Before  they  set  out  at  dawn  they  filled  the 
water-bags  and  gathered  a  supply  of  grass  for 
their  ponies.  Then  they  again  turned  their 
faces  toward  the  south.  As  the  day  wore  on 
the  lads  noticed  a  distinct  change  in  the 
appearance  of  the  plain.  The  grass  had  dis- 
appeared, and  for  a  long  distance  they  trav- 
eled through  a  monotonous  stretch  of  sage. 
Then  that,  too,  died  out,  and  the  plain  became 
a  desert.  They  came  upon  several  pools,  but 
the  water  was  strong  with  alkali,  and  they 
passed  them  by. 

At  the  end  of  the  day  the  lads  found  them- 
selves upon  the  threshold  of  a  bleak,  uninvit- 
ing waste  of  rock  and  sand  which  stretched 

239 


THE    RED   ARROW 

away  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see.  It  was  a 
weird,  fantastic  region,  studded  with  gro- 
tesque monuments  of  gray  weather-worn 
rocks,  and  the  Sioux  looked  upon  it  with 
gloomy  forebodings.  It  was  dry,  and  dead, 
and  different  from  any  place  they  had  ever 
seen.  As  they  studied  it  they  felt  their  hearts 
filling  with  a  strange  superstitious  awe  which 
quite  overpowered  them.  The  place  seemed 
to  have  cast  an  evil  spell  upon  them,  and  all 
sorts  of  horrible  possibilities  crept  into  their 
minds. 

"It  is  the  Country  of  the  Evil  Spirits," 
whispered  Little  Raven. 

The  sun  had  already  set  and  the  purple 
evening  shadows  added  to  the  somberness  of 
the  scene.  As  the  light  gradually  failed,  queer, 
distorted  shadows  crept  out  from  the  base  of 
the  rocks  and  the  vast  solitude  became  peo- 
pled with  phantoms  of  the  night. 

Then  it  grew  dark,  and  the  lads  turned 
from  the  dreary  desolation  and  made  their 
camp  far  out  on  the  barren  plain.  There  was 
neither  grass  nor  water,  and  they  levied 
grudgingly  upon  their  meager  supply.  Then 
they  sat  close  together  in  the  dark,  talking  in 
subdued  whispers  of  the  mysterious  country 

240 


THE    EVIL   SPIRITS 

which  barred  their  way.  At  last  they  spread 
their  robes  and  tried  to  compose  themselves 
for  sleep.  Their  efforts  were  useless,  however, 
for  the  story  told  by  the  Pawnees  kept  running 
through  their  minds.  They  were  restless  and 
wakeful,  and  they  passed  most  of  the  night 
staring  up  at  the  stars  and  wondering  what 
fate  awaited  them  in  the  Country  of  the  Evil 
Spirits. 

It  was  barely  daylight  when  they  mounted 
their  ponies  and  advanced  slowly  toward  the 
mysterious  land  to  the  south.  They  rode 
some  distance  apart,  and  kept  a  sharp  watch 
for  tracks,  but  the  ground  was  hard  and  sun- 
baked and  their  search  was  vain.  They 
stopped  when  they  reached  the  border  of  the 
great  barren  waste,  and  Little  Raven  dis- 
mounted to  wait  while  Sun  Bird  rode  slowly 
toward  the  east  and  White  Otter  went  toward 
the  west.  They  hoped  by  this  manoeuver  to 
discover  the  place  where  the  Pawnees  entered 
the  Country  of  the  Evil  Spirits.  It  was  not 
long,  however,  before  the  two  lads  returned 
and  said  that  they  had  found  the  task  hope- 
less. 

"We  must  go  on,"  declared  White  Otter. 
"We  have  weapons  and  food  and  water  for 

16  241 


THE    RED   ARROW 

ourselves  and  our  ponies.  Are  we  warriors? 
Then  we  must  travel  through  this  place  with 
brave  hearts." 

"Your  words  are  good;  we  will  remember 
that  we  are  Sioux.  Are  the  Sioux  frightened 
by  the  silly  stories  of  the  old  men  in  the 
Pawnee  village?  Come,  we  will  prove  our 
courage,"  Sun  Bird  cried,  encouragingly. 

Aroused  by  his  words,  the  dauntless  cour- 
age of  their  people  asserted  itself,  and  they 
entered  the  great  trackless  waste,  prepared 
to  face  whatever  perils  awaited  them.  They 
rode  slowly  along  within  sight  of  one  another, 
with  their  eyes  fixed  upon  the  ground.  They 
saw  nothing  to  guide  them,  however,  and  as 
the  day  wore  on  and  they  went  farther  into 
the  dreary  desolation  they  gave  up  the 
search  and  took  their  bearings  from  the  sun. 
They  believed  that  two  days'  journey  tow- 
ard the  south  would  bring  them  safely  out 
on  the  other  side  of  the  desert.  The  belief 
encouraged  them,  and  they  rode  confidently 
along  until  dark.  Then,  having  failed  to  find 
water  or  any  evidence  to  prove  that  they 
were  moving  in  the  proper  course,  they  be- 
came somewhat  depressed.  They  stopped, 
and  gave  the  ponies  a  scant  ration  of  grass, 

242 


THE    EVIL    SPIRITS 

and  a  few  mouthfuls  of  tepid  water  from  the 
buffalo-hide  bags.  Then  they  poured  some 
of  the  precious  liquid  into  their  own  parched 
throats.  Having  consumed  more  than  half 
of  their  supply,  they  realized  that  unless  they 
succeeded  in  finding  their  way  to  the  plain 
or  came  upon  the  second  water-hole  the  next 
day  their  plight  would  be  serious. 

When  the  long  night  finally  passed  without 
bringing  an  attack  from  the  fierce  spirits 
mentioned  by  the  Pawnees  the  lads  turned 
their  faces  to  the  sky  and  gave  thanks  to  the 
Great  Mystery.  Having  saved  them  from 
those  unseen  foes,  whose  existence  the  super- 
stitious young  Sioux  never  thought  of  doubt- 
ing, they  believed  he  would  eventually  lead 
them  safely  to  the  open  plain.  Strengthened 
by  the  thought,  they  began  the  second  day 
with  renewed  courage.  However,  as  the  day 
progressed  the  sun's  fierce  heat  was  reflected 
from  the  ground  in  hot,  stifling  blasts  which 
soon  sapped  the  strength  from  both  the  ponies 
and  their  riders.  To  add  still  further  to  their 
discomfort,  their  lungs  and  eyes  were  filled 
by  a  fine,  sifting  smother  of  alkali  dust  which 
rose  from  beneath  the  horses'  hoofs.  Each 
moment  added  to  their  suffering,  and  by  the 

243 


THE    RED   ARROW 

time  the  sun  had  reached  the  zenith  their 
agony  was  intense.  They  had  been  forced 
to  twist  about  and  turn  from  their  course 
to  avoid  blind  pockets  and  other  impassable 
'barriers,  and  they  feared  that  there  was  little 
chance  of  finding  the  coveted  pool.  They 
had  almost  exhausted  the  supply  of  water, 
and  they  were  hoarding  the  balance  in  the 
hope  that  it  might  sustain  them  through 
another  day.  The  ponies  were  beginning  to 
lag,  and  to  spare  them  the  lads  dismounted 
and  walked. 

"It  is  bad,"  Little  Raven  said,  huskily. 
"My  throat  is  filled  with  fire." 

"A  warrior  does  not  tell  those  things," 
Sun  Bird  cautioned  him. 

Trudging  wearily  along  at  the  head  of  his 
pony,  each  lad  fought  his  battle  in  grim  silence. 
They  saw  the  sun  sink  slowly  in  the  western 
sky  and  their  spirits  sank  with  it.  They 
realized  that  the  coming  of  darkness  would 
necessitate  a  halt  for  the  night,  and  they 
dreaded  to  think  of  the  long  black  interval  of 
sleepless  agony  which  awaited  them.  They 
had  serious  doubts  that  either  they  or  their 
ponies  would  have  sufficient  strength  to  re- 
sume the  journey  at  daylight.  The  thought 

244 


THE   EVIL   SPIRITS 

urged  them  to  greater  efforts,  and  they  sought 
to  quicken  their  pace.  But  the  jaded  beasts 
behind  them  were  unable  to  respond,  and 
the  lads  were  forced  to  abandon  the  effort. 

The  twilight  shadows  were  gathering  when 
the  Sioux  saw  something  white  half  buried 
in  the  ground  a  short  distance  ahead  of  them. 
Upon  reaching  it  they  found  that  it  was  the 
bleached  skeleton  of  a  horse.  It  told  a  grim 
story,  and  they  gazed  upon  it  in  silence.  A 
short  distance  farther  on  they  found  the 
whitened  bones  of  its  rider.  Then  the  whole 
sad  tale  suggested  itself  to  their  minds.  The 
unfortunate  wanderer  had  attempted  to  cross 
the  lonely  waste  and,  having  lost  his  way,  had 
wandered  about  until  his  pony  dropped  from 
exhaustion.  Then  he  had  attempted  to  go 
on  alone,  but  his  strength  failed  him,  and 
there  in  that  lonely  solitude  he  had  met  his 
doom.  The  lads  turned  away  with  gloomy 
thoughts. 

What  they  saw,  however,  convinced  them 
that  they  had  turned  too  far  toward  the  west. 
They  believed  that  the  safe  highway  through 
the  weird  place  was  some  distance  to  the  east. 
They  turned  in  that  direction  with  fresh 
hopes,  but  before  they  had  gone  far  they  came 

245 


THE    RED   ARROW 

upon  an  impassable  barrier,  and  while  they 
were  searching  for  a  way  around  it  grew  dark. 

They  offered  the  ponies  the  last  of  the 
grass,  but  the  poor  beasts  were  choking  with 
thirst,  and  they  were  unable  to  eat  it.  Then 
the  lads  attempted  to  relieve  their  own  suf- 
ferings by  pouring  a  few  drops  of  liquid  into 
their  burning  throats.  It  seemed  only  to  ag- 
gravate the  agony,  and  they  found  it  difficult 
to  resist  the  temptation  to  drain  the  scant 
supply  still  remaining  in  the  buffalo-hide 
bags.  Then  they  turned  to  the  meat,  and 
by  hard  chewing  they  succeeded  in  extracting 
some  moisture  from  that.  They  knew  that 
their  one  hope  was  to  move  toward  the  east 
on  the  following  day,  and  they  determined  to 
make  one  final  effort  in  that  direction. 

Sunrise  found  them  staggering  gamely 
along  in  front  of  their  exhausted  ponies. 
They  were  confronted  by  all  sorts  of  exasper- 
ating obstacles,  but  they  fought  their  way 
around  them  with  grim  persistence,  for  they 
knew  that  their  lives  depended  upon  the 
success  of  the  day's  work.  At  midday  they 
stopped  in  the  shadow  of  a  great  boulder. 
They  gave  the  choking  ponies  the  water  from 
two  of  the  water-bags,  and  divided  half  of 

246 


THE    EVIL    SPIRITS 

the  remainder  among  themselves.  Then  they 
resumed  their  wearisome  journey.  It  seemed 
hopeless,  but  they  reminded  one  another  that 
they  were  Sioux  and  that  they  must  fight 
to  the  end. 

The  day  was  far  gone  when  White  Otter 
suddenly  raised  a  feeble  cry  and  fell  to  his 
knees.  Believing  that  he  had  collapsed,  his 
companions  reeled  to  his  side,  and  found  him 
staring  wild-eyed  at  the  ground.  There  was 
unmistakable  evidence  that  a  horse  had 
passed  that  way  at  some  time.  The  sign 
was  old,  but  it  put  new  life  into  them.  Then, 
while  the  excited  lads  were  searching  in  dif- 
ferent directions  for  a  hoof -print  or  some 
mark  to  give  them  the  direction  of  the  trail 
one  of  the  ponies  raised  its  nose  into  the  air 
and  uttered  a  weak,  gasping  whinny.  Then 
it  trotted  away  toward  the  south,  dragging 
Little  Raven  with  it.  The  other  ponies  in- 
stantly followed,  and  the  lads  made  no 
attempt  to  stop  them.  Within  several  arrow- 
flights  the  clever  little  beasts  brought  them  to 
a  large  pool  at  the  base  of  a  great  pyramidal 
rock. 

"It  is  good/'  gasped  White  Otter.  "The 
Great  Mystery  has  saved  us." 

247 


THE    RED   ARROW 

The  Sioux  and  their  ponies  drank  heartily, 
and  the  clear,  cool  water  gave  them  life. 
When  the  lads  offered  the  horses  the  grass 
which  they  had  refused  the  night  before  they 
ate  it  ravenously.  By  the  time  it  was  dark 
the  lads,  too,  had  recovered  their  strength  and 
spirit.  Confident  that  they  would  find  the 
plain  early  the  following  day,  they  wrapped 
themselves  in  their  robes  and  slept  soundly 
throughout  the  night. 

At  daylight  they  filled  the  water-bags  and 
set  out  toward  the  south.  As  they  pro- 
ceeded they  marked  the  trail  behind  them, 
for  they  had  lost  all  fear  of  the  Evil  People, 
whom  the  Pawnees  held  in  such  respect. 
Before  the  sun  had  covered  a  quarter  of  its 
circuit  they  emerged  safely  from  the  Country 
of  the  Evil  Spirits  and  found  themselves  upon 
the  border  of  a  vast  rolling  prairie. 

"The  sun  shines  in  my  heart/'  cried  White 
Otter,  as  he  inhaled  great  breaths  of  the 
fragrant  air. 

"My  ears  are  filled  with  music,"  said  Little 
Raven. 

" In  that  place  I  was  an  old  man;  now  I  am 
young  again/'  declared  Sun  Bird. 


XVIII 

WITHIN   SIGHT  OF  THE  GOAL 


A<TER  searching  in  vain  for  some  sign 
of  the  Pawnee  camp  the  lads  made 
their  way  cautiously  across  the  prairie.  They 
were  alert  and  watchful,  for  they  feared  that 
discovery  would  bring  failure  to  their  under- 
taking. They  had  not  gone  far  in  this  new 
country  before  they  began  to  see  all  sorts  of 
game.  A  covey  of  prairie-grouse  rose  before 
the  ponies  and  sailed  off  into  a  dense  thicket 
of  willows;  a  band  of  antelope  ceased  feeding 
to  watch  them  go  by;  a  coyote  jumped  from 
behind  a  boulder  and  raced  away  at  top  speed  ; 
and  a  pair  of  hawks  circled  about  high  above 
them. 

"It  is  good;  in  this  place  everything  is 
alive,"  declared  White  Otter,  as  he  glanced 
significantly  over  his  shoulder  at  the  grim 
solitude  from  which  they  had  escaped. 

Then  they  came  to  a  low  rolling  swell  of 
249 


THE    RED   ARROW 

the  plain,  and  Little  Raven  remained  with 
the  ponies  while  White  Otter  and  Sun  Bird 
crept  carefully  to  the  summit  of  the  ridge  to 
reconnoiter.  Farther  to  the  west  they  saw 
a  stream,  whose  course  they  marked  by  the 
long,  winding  lane  of  trees  which  lined  its 
banks. 

"  Perhaps  Crazy  Bear's  village  is  along  that 
water,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

They  searched  the  sky  for  a  trace  of  smoke, 
but  although  they  watched  a  long  time  they 
saw  nothing  to  indicate  that  the  camp  was 
anywhere  near.  They  were  somewhat  per- 
plexed. The  young  Pawnee  had  assured 
Little  Raven  that  Crazy  Bear's  camp  was 
five  suns'  journey  from  his  own  village.  The 
Sioux  believed  that  if  the  information  were 
genuine  they  should  already  be  within  sight 
of  their  goal.  Then  they  suddenly  remem- 
bered that  they  had  lost  a  day  wandering 
about  in  the  Country  of  the  Evil  Spirits. 
That  suggested  another  possibility.  Perhaps 
the  Pawnee  village  was  still  a  sun's  travel 
farther  south.  The  two  lads  were  in  a 
quandary.  At  last  they  decided  to  remain 
where  they  were  until  dark.  Then  they 
would  separate  to  look  for  the  camp.  Hav- 

250 


WITHIN    SIGHT   OF   THE   GOAL 

ing  come  to  this  decision,  they  returned  to 
the  ponies  and  proposed  their  plan  to  Little 
Raven. 

"My  brothers,  you  have  been  on  the  war- 
trail — you  are  warriors.  I  will  obey  your 
words/'  Little  Raven  declared,  loyally. 

They  decided  that  White  Otter  should  ride 
toward  the  west  to  reconnoiter  along  the 
stream,  that  Sun  Bird  should  make  a  wide 
half-circle  toward  the  east,  and  that  Little 
Raven  should  scout  toward  the  south.  It 
was  further  agreed  that  they  should  meet 
at  the  starting-point  before  daylight.  When 
it  was  dark,  therefore,  the  three  lads  set  out, 
having  selected  the  long,  mournful  howl  of 
the  prairie-wolf  as  the  danger-signal,  and  the 
quick,  sharp  bark  of  the  little  gray  fox  as  the 
sign  of  recognition. 

Little  Raven  was  the  first  to  return,  and 
as  he  neared  the  rendezvous  he  stopped  his 
pony  and  imitated  the  bark  of  the  little  gray 
fox.  He  waited  some  moments,  and  then  he 
repeated  the  signal.  Still  he  received  no 
reply.  Aware  that  his  companions  had  not 
arrived,  he  began  a  cautious  advance.  When 
he  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge  he  raised  the 
call  the  third  time.  Then,  a  short  distance 

251 


THE    RED   ARROW 

to  the  west,  he  heard  the  answer,  and  he  knew 
that  White  Otter  was  returning.  A  few  mo- 
ments later  the  lads  met  at  the  base  of  the 
rise. 

Little  Raven  said  that  he  had  ridden  far 
toward  the  south,  but  had  failed  to  discover 
the  Pawnee  village. 

"It  is  bad,"  said  White  Otter.  "I  rode  to 
those  trees.  Then  I  followed  the  stream, 
but  I  did  not  find  the  Pawnee  village/* 

"Perhaps  Sun  Bird  will  tell  us  about  it," 
Little  Raven  suggested,  hopefully. 

"Yes,  perhaps  he  will  see  something,"  re- 
plied White  Otter. 

However,  as  the  time  passed  and  their 
comrade  failed  to  appear  the  lads  became 
somewhat  anxious.  The  night  was  almost 
gone,  and  they  wondered  what  had  delayed 
him.  Each  moment  increased  their  anxiety, 
and  they  began  to  fear  that  he  had  met  with 
some  misfortune.  Still,  they  had  heard  noth- 
ing to  indicate  that  he  was  in  peril.  But 
they  got  slight  comfort  from  that  thought, 
for  they  had  been  far  away,  and  they  realized 
that  they  might  have  failed  to  hear  his  signals 
of  distress.  Finally,  just  as  the  first  tinge  of 
gray  showed  in  the  east  they  heard  the  bark 

252 


WITHIN    SIGHT   OF   THE    GOAL 

of  the  little  gray  fox  close  at  hand.  They 
replied,  and  soon  afterward  Sun  Bird  joined 
them. 

"You  have  been  far,"  said  White  Otter,  as 
he  looked  upon  the  panting,  sweat-lathered 
pony  of  his  friend. 

"I  have  found  the  Pawnee  village,"  replied 
Sun  Bird. 

His  companions  were  overjoyed  at  the  an- 
nouncement. In  reply  to  their  eager  ques- 
tions Sun  Bird  told  them  that  the  Pawnee 
camp  was  far  away  toward  the  east.  He  said 
that  he  had  located  it  by  the  flicker  of  the 
camp-fires.  He  had  watched  some  time  from 
the  summit  of  a  distant  ridge.  Then,  fearful 
that  what  he  saw  might  only  be  the  camp  of 
some  wandering  hunters,  he  had  gone  suf- 
ficiently near  to  convince  himself  that  it  was 
really  Crazy  Bear's  village. 

11  My  ears  told  me  this,"  he  said.  "I  heard 
the  women  and  children  and  the  dogs.  Then 
I  knew  that  it  was  a  big  village.  I  did  not  go 
to  it.  I  do  not  know  how  many  lodges  are 
in  that  camp.  But  I  saw  many  fires,  and  I 
believe  it  is  a  big  camp." 

"  It  is  good,"  declared  White  Otter.  "  Now 
I  know  that  we  will  do  this  great  thing." 

253 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Soon  after  sunrise  the  lads  set  out  toward 
the  distant  village.  They  rode  with  great 
caution,  for  they  knew  that  at  any  moment 
they  might  come  in  sight  of  a  Pawnee  hunt- 
ing-party. They  saw  many  antelope  and  a 
small  herd  of  buffaloes,  but  as  they  still  had 
several  days'  rations  of  meat  they  made  no 
attempt  to  hunt.  At  midday  they  saw  smoke 
rising  from  behind  a  distant  rise  of  the  prairie 
and  they  knew  that  they  were  within  sight  of 
the  goal.  Realizing  that  it  would  be  fool- 
hardy to  expose  themselves  in  daylight,  the 
Sioux  began  to  look  for  a  hiding-place.  They 
saw  a  small  cluster  of  trees  a  short  distance 
to  the  south,  and  Little  Raven  proposed  that 
they  should  conceal  themselves  in  that 
cover. 

"No,  that  would  be  foolish/'  declared 
White  Otter.  "If  the  hunters  leave  Crazy 
Bear's  village  they  will  go  to  those  trees  to 
look  for  game.  See,  over  there  is  a  gully; 
we  will  hide  in  that." 

"Your  words  are  wise,"  agreed  Sun  Bird. 

A  short  time  afterward  White  Otter  saw 
his  suspicions  verified,  when  a  small  company 
of  horsemen  appeared  over  the  low  ridge 
which  hid  the  Pawnee  camp  and  rode  directly 

254 


WITHIN   SIGHT   OF   THE   GOAL 

toward  the  square  of  trees.  As  they  drew 
near  the  cover  they  scattered  and  closed  in 
upon  the  grove  from  all  sides.  The  lads 
watched  them  in  thoughtful  silence.  They 
were  wondering  what  would  have  happened 
if  they  had  been  trapped  in  the  timber. 

''What  you  said  has  come  true,"  said  Little 
Raven.  "I  was  very  foolish." 

"I  have  heard  the  old  men  say  that  it  is 
the  war-trail  which  teaches  wisdom,"  Sun 
Bird  told  him. 

"It  is  true;  I  will  remember  it,"  replied 
Little  Raven. 

Having  failed  to  find  game  in  the  grove,  the 
hunters  had  disappeared  toward  the  west. 
Their  appearance  had  filled  the  lads  with 
grave  concern.  They  feared  that  when  the 
Pawnees  returned  they  might  ride  into  the 
ravine.  As  there  was  no  other  hiding-place 
except  the  timber,  the  possibility  filled  them 
with  alarm.  But  they  realized  that  it  would 
be  still  more  perilous  to  leave  the  gully  and 
attempt  to  retreat  across  the  open  plain,  for 
they  knew  that  at  any  moment  the  horsemen 
might  return  and  discover  them. 

"We  must  wait  here  and  watch,"  said  White 
Otter. 

255 


THE    RED   ARROW 

"  Yes,  my  heart  tells  me  it  is  the  best  thing 
to  do,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

Late  in  the  day  they  saw  the  hunting- 
party  returning.  To  the  lads'  delight,  how- 
ever, the  riders  were  some  distance  to  the 
south,  and  the  Sioux  had  little  fear  of  being 
discovered.  It  was  evident  that  the  Pawnees 
had  been  successful,  for  as  they  drew  nearer 
the  lads  saw  that  most  of  the  ponies  were 
carrying  a  generous  supply  of  meat  in  addition 
to  their  riders. 

"When  those  warriors  have  gone  then  we 
will  leave  this  place  and  go  to  the  timber/' 
proposed  White  Otter. 

At  that  moment  something  frightened  one 
of  the  Pawnee  ponies,  and  it  shied  and  threw 
its  rider.  Then  the  alarmed  horse  wheeled 
and  raced  wildly  across  the  plain  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  ravine  which  concealed  the 
three  young  Sioux.  A  number  of  Pawnees 
started  in  pursuit,  and  the  lads  watched  the 
race  with  bated  breath.  The  runaway  ap- 
peared to  be  holding  its  lead,  and  the  Sioux 
realized  that  unless  it  was  speedily  over- 
taken their  discovery  was  certain.  They 
staked  their  hopes  on  a  clean-limbed  little 
piebald  which  was  rapidly  distancing  the  rest 

256 


WITHIN    SIGHT   OF   THE   GOAL 

of  the  pursuers.  But  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
it  was  easily  drawing  away  from  its  com- 
panions, it  seemed  unable  to  gain  upon  the 
fugitive.  As  the  latter  had  already  covered 
half  of  the  distance  to  the  ravine,  the  lads 
began  to  lose  heart.  They  had  little  doubt 
that  they  would  be  discovered,  and  they 
began  to  think  about  making  a  bold  dash  for 
liberty.  Then  the  rider  on  the  piebald  be- 
gan to  use  his  heavy  rawhide  quirt,  and  the 
fiery  little  pony  redoubled  its  speed.  Stride 
by  stride  it  shortened  the  lead  of  the  runaway, 
and  when  he  was  within  arrow-range  of  the 
gully  the  Pawnee  reached  forward  and  grasped 
the  rawhide  thong  which  dangled  from  the 
lower  jaw  of  the  escaped  horse. 

"That  spotted  pony  is  bur  friend,"  White 
Otter  said,  solemnly,  as  they  watched  the 
Pawnee  cantering  away  with  his  captive. 

"It  is  very  fast,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

It  was  almost  dark  when  the  Sioux  left  the 
ravine  and  took  shelter  in  the  grove.  Then 
they  began  to  discuss  plans  for  recovering  the 
Red  Arrow.  They  agreed  that  it  would  be 
necessary  to  make  a  preliminary  reconnais- 
sance, for  they  realized  that  they  could  do 
nothing  until  they  located  the  medicine-lodge 
17  257 


THE    RED   ARROW 

and  the  corral  containing  the  swift  war-ponies. 
Then  came  a  difference  of  opinion.  Having 
arrived  safely  within  sight  of  his  goal,  White 
Otter  was  determined  to  take  every  precau- 
tion against  a  final  blunder  which  might  end 
all  chance  of  securing  the  prize.  For  that 
reason  he  insisted  upon  going  alone  to  recon- 
noiter  the  camp.  However,  when  he  pro- 
posed the  plan,  his  companions  raised  serious 
objections.  The  discussion  which  followed 
was  long  and  fiery,  but  White  Otter  finally 
won  his  friends  by  promising  to  assign  each 
of  them  a  part  in  the  final  enterprise. 

"Two  do  not  go  to  know  what  one  can 
see/*  he  told  them. 

"You  speak  wise  words;  we  will  listen,'* 
replied  Sun  Bird. 

"It  is  good;  now  I  will  go,"  cried  White 
Otter,  as  his  eyes  lighted  with  excitement. 

When  the  young  Sioux  came  in  sight  of  the 
twinkling  camp-fires  he  stopped  and  watched 
them  a  long  time.  Then,  after  he  had  of- 
fered a  simple  petition  to  the  Great  Mystery, 
he  rode  cautiously  toward  the  camp.  He 
advanced  until  he  heard  the  familiar  noises 
of  the  village.  Then  he  dismounted  and 
muzzled  his  pony.  A  few  moments  later  he 

258 


WITHIN    SIGHT   OF   THE    GOAL 

came  upon  a  dense  thicket,  and  after  he  had 
assured  himself  that  it  was  free  from  foes  he 
concealed  his  horse  and  continued  toward  the 
village  on  foot. 

White  Otter  neared  the  camp  with  the 
silent  stealth  of  a  fox.  He  knew  that  an 
instant's  carelessness  might  cost  him  his 
prize,  and  perhaps  his  life,  and  the  thought 
made  him  alert  and  cautious.  When  he 
came  within  bow-shot  of  the  village  he  stopped 
to  listen.  As  he  heard  nothing  to  arouse  his 
suspicions  he  dropped  to  his  hands  and  knees 
and  crawled  carefully  toward  some  small 
boulders  which  loomed  up  a  short  distance 
in  front  of  him.  He  reached  them  in  safety, 
and  found  himself  close  upon  a  lodge  at  the 
border  of  the  camp.  Realizing  that  once  the 
fires  died  down  it  would  be  almost  impossible 
to  distinguish  the  medicine-lodge,  White  Ot- 
ter knew  that  there  was  not  a  moment  to 
spare.  He  dragged  himself  slowly  over  the 
ground,  therefore,  until  he  was  at  the  very 
edge  of  the  village.  Still  he  could  see  only  a 
small  portion  of  the  camp,  and  he  told  himself 
that  he  must  go  on.  His  heart  was  filled  with 
fear  of  the  dogs.  He  knew  that  at  any  moment 
they  might  discover  him  and  raise  the  alarm. 

259 


THE    RED   ARROW 

The  Sioux  had  gone  half  the  length  of  the 
camp  when  he  finally  saw  a  great  lodge  which 
was  decorated  with  the  figure  of  the  mysteri- 
ous Thunder  Bird  and  other  magical  sym- 
bols. It  stood  alone  in  the  center  of  the 
village,  and  the  sight  of  it  caused  White 
Otter's  heart  to  beat  fast  with  excitement, 
for  he  recognized  it  as  the  medicine-lodge. 
He  waited  long  enough  to  fix  its  location 
firmly  in  his  mind  and  then  he  continued  his 
daring  reconnaissance  until  he  heard  a  horse 
squeal  in  anger.  A  few  moments  later  he  lo- 
cated the  corral  at  the  north  end  of  the  camp. 

Well  pleased  with  his  success,  the  young 
Sioux  was  about  to  begin  a  cautious  retreat 
when  he  was  dismayed  by  the  sound  of 
voices  directly  behind  him.  The  speakers 
were  within  several  bow-lengths  of  him,  and 
he  dared  not  move.  For  a  moment  it  seemed 
as  though  his  heart  would  burst  through  his 
chest.  Hastily  fitting  an  arrow  to  his  bow, 
the  trembling  lad  flattened  himself  against 
the  earth  in  the  hope  of  escaping  detection. 
He  hoped  that  the  unseen  prowlers  would 
soon  pass  on  and  leave  him  to  make  his 
escape  in  the  darkness.  As  he  listened,  how- 
ever, he  discovered  that  they  had  stopped. 

260 


WITHIN    SIGHT   OF   THE    GOAL 

From  the  sound  of  their  voices  it  was  evident 
that  they  had  seated  themselves  for  a  serious 
talk.  White  Otter  was  in  a  frenzy  of  despair. 
He  saw  no  way  of  escaping  while  they  re- 
mained, and  yet  he  knew  that  each  moment's 
delay  increased  his  peril.  His  position  was 
desperate,  for  he  feared  that  before  very  long 
some  of  the  dogs  would  be  sure  to  discover 
him.  Roused  by  the  thought,  White  Otter 
began  to  worm  his  way  along  an  inch  at  a  time. 
After  each  short,  painful  advance  he  stopped  to 
listen,  but  as  the  Pawnees  continued  their  talk 
he  knew  that  they  had  failed  to  hear  him. 
Every  inch  gained  gave  him  greater  confidence, 
and  when  he  had  finally  gone  a  quarter  of  an 
arrow-flight  he  rose  to  his  knees  and  began  to 
crawl.  At  double  that  distance  he  sprang  to 
his  feet  and  sped  away  into  the  night. 

Day  had  dawned  when  White  Otter  finally 
rejoined  his  companions.  He  told  them  what 
he  had  seen,  and  declared  that  they  must 
enter  the  Pawnee  camp  the  following  night. 

"I  have  listened  to  your  words;  I  am 
ready,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"It  is  a  very  brave  thing  to  do.  Perhaps 
we  will  be  killed,  but  I  am  not  afraid/'  de- 
clared Little  Raven, 


XIX 

THE   RED  ARROW 

THE  lads  waited  in  the  timber  until  the 
long  day  finally  came  to  an  end.  Then, 
as  the  gray  twilight  shadows  began  to  settle 
upon  the  plain  they  mounted  their  ponies 
and  set  out  for  the  Pawnee  camp.  They 
were  silent  and  thoughtful,  for  they  realized 
that  to  accomplish  their  purpose  each  of  them 
would  be  compelled  to  risk  his  life.  White 
Otter,  who  had  become  the  leader  of  the 
little  war  party,  had  issued  his  instructions 
earlier  in  the  day,  and  each  lad  was  thor- 
oughly prepared  for  his  part  in  the  under- 
taking. Little  Raven  had  been  ordered  to 
remain  close  to  the  border  of  the  village  with 
the  horses.  Sun  Bird  had  been  asked  to 
make  his  way  to  the  corral  and  secure  three 
fast  war-ponies.  While  for  himself  White 
Otter  had  reserved  the  difficult  task  of  en- 
tering the  medicine-lodge  in  search  of  the  Red 
Arrow, 

362 


THE    RED   ARROW 

When  they  finally  galloped  their  ponies  to 
the  crest  of  the  ridge  from  which  they  ex- 
pected to  see  the  twinkle  of  the  distant  camp- 
fires,  the  lads  stopped  short,  and  stared  off 
into  the  night  in  speechless  amazement. 
All  evidence  of  the  village  had  disappeared. 
For  a  moment  White  Otter  and  Sun  Bird 
feared  that  their  eyes  had  failed  them,  and 
they  turned  to  Little  Raven  for  proof. 

"I  see  nothing  there, "  said  Little  Raven. 

"It  is  bad,"  White  Otter  declared,  un- 
easily. 

"Perhaps  the  Pawnees  know  about  this 
thing,"  Sun  Bird  suggested. 

"Yes,  we  must  be  very  cautious,"  replied 
White  Otter. 

Two  possibilities  suggested  themselves  to 
the  minds  of  the  perplexed  young  Sioux. 
They  believed  that  the  Pawnees  either  had 
moved  their  camp  or  had  learned  of  White 
Otter's  visit  the  night  before  and  were 
hiding  in  ambush  to  surprise  any  foes  who 
might  again  attempt  to  approach  the  village. 
The  latter  possibility  seemed  the  more  prob- 
able, and  the  lads  were  much  disturbed  by 
the  thought.  They  realized  that  they  might 
already  have  blundered  into  a  trap,  ancl  they 

263 


THE    RED   ARROW 

listened  for  some  sound  which  would  tell 
them  that  their  approach  had  been  discov- 
ered. Hearing  nothing  to  confirm  their  fears, 
they  dismounted  and  muzzled  the  ponies. 
Then  they  conferred  together  in  low,  guarded 
whispers. 

"We  must  know  this  thing.  There  is  only 
one  way.  I  will  go,"  White  Otter  declared. 

As  he  was  the  acknowledged  leader  of  the 
party  his  companions  were  forced  to  respect 
his  decision.  They  made  no  objection,  there- 
fore, when  he  proposed  to  go  upon  his  soli- 
tary reconnaissance.  They  watched  him  with 
gloomy  forebodings  as  he  mounted  his  pony 
and  disappeared  into  the  night. 

"  White  Otter  is  very  brave,"  Little  Raven 
said,  admiringly. 

i  "Yes;  I  believe  he  will  be  a  fearless  war- 
leader,  like  his  grandfather,  the  great  chief 
Wolf  Robe,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

Half  the  nightf  had  passed  when  they  heard 
the  sharp  bark  of  the  little  gray  fox. 

"It  is  good;  White  Otter  is  returning," 
Little  Raven  whispered,  excitedly. 

"Yes,  he  has  escaped,"  Sun  Bird  replied, 
with  unconcealed  relief. 

A  few  moments  later  White  Otter  rejoined 
264 


THE    RED   ARROW 

them.  He  had  removed  the  buckskin  muzzle 
from  his  pony,  and  his  companions  knew  that 
the  Pawnees  were  at  least  out  of  hearing. 
White  Otter  said  that  the  village  had  dis- 
appeared. He  told  them  that  he  had  recon- 
noitered  carefully  about  the  deserted  camp 
site  in  the  hope  of  picking  up  the  trail,  but 
darkness  and  the  hopeless  maze  of  tracks  all 
about  the  vicinity  made  the  task  impossible 
before  daylight.  He  proposed  that  they 
should  remain  where  they  were  until  dawn, 
and  then  go  to  the  abandoned  camp  to  look 
for  the  trail. 

"It  is  very  bad;  but  I  will  follow  this  camp 
until  I  find  the  Red  Arrow/'  declared  White 
Otter. 

"You  are  a  good  leader;  we  will  go  with 
you,"  Sun  Bird  promised  him. 

The  eager  lads  reached  the  Pawnee  camp- 
ing-place before  sunrise  the  following  day. 
Leaving  Little  Raven  to  watch  from  a  high 
rise  of  ground,  as  a  precaution  against  the 
possible  return  of  their  enemies,  White  Otter 
and  Sun  Bird  circled  slowly  about  the  vi- 
cinity, searching  for  the  trail.  They  learned 
the  reason  for  the  removal  of  the  village 
when  they  discovered  the  large  spring  which 

265 


THE    RED   ARROW 

had  supplied  water  to  the  Pawnees — it  was 
almost  dry.  Shortly  afterward  they  found 
the  tracks  of  the  travelers  leading  away 
toward  the  south,  and  they  called  Little 
Raven  and  set  out  upon  the  trail. 

"We  will  soon  find  these  people,"  Little 
Raven  declared,  confidently.  "I  have  told 
you  about  Crazy  Bear.  He  is  very  old;  he 
cannot  travel  far/' 

"Yes,  I  am  thinking  about  it;  I  believe 
what  you  say  is  true,"  replied  White  Otter. 

Toward  the  end  of  the  day  the  lads  saw 
their  hopes  verified,  as  they  discovered  the 
camp  a  short  distance  ahead  of  them.  It 
was  situated  on  the  bank  of  a  small  stream 
which  flowed  from  the  west  and  which  they 
believed  was  a  tributary  of  the  larger  stream 
which  White  Otter  had  reconnoitered.  Hav- 
ing located  the  village,  the  Sioux  turned 
toward  the  east  and  concealed  themselves 
in  a  stand  of  aspens. 

When  it  was  dark  the  lads  deserted  the 
timber  and  rode  to  a  rise  of  the  plain  from 
which  they  could  see  the  glimmer  of  the 
Pawnee  camp-fires.  Then  White  Otter  left 
his  companions  and  hurried  away  to  recon-* 
noiter  the  camp.  It  was  not  long,  however. 


THE    RED   ARROW 

before  he  returned  and  told  them  that  he  had 
again  located  the  medicine-lodge  in  the  center 
of  the  village  and  the  war-ponies  in  a  tem- 
porary corral  at  the  north  end  of  the  camp. 
He  also  said  that  he  had  found  a  small  herd 
of  horses  grazing  near  the  village,  but  had 
passed  them  by,  knowing  that  the  choicest 
animals  were  confined  in  the  corral. 

The  lads  realized  that  they  could  do  noth- 
ing until  the  camp  became  dark  and  quiet, 
and  they  watched  anxiously  for  the  twinkling 
lights  to  disappear.  While  they  waited  they 
rehearsed  every  detail  of  the  daring  plan 
in  which  they  were  soon  to  risk  their  lives. 
As  they  talked,  the  fires  diminished  and 
melted  into  the  night,  and  when  the  last 
flickering  light  faded  from  their  sight  the 
Sioux  nerved  themselves  for  the  perilous  task 
before  them. 

"We  must  wait/*  White  Otter  cautioned. 
"The  people  have  gone  to  the  lodges,  but 
the  dogs  are  walking  around  the  camp. 
They  will  fight  over  the  bones,  and  keep  the 
old  women  awake.  We  must  wait  until 
they  are  asleep." 

They  waited  some  time  longer,  and  then 
Sun  Bird  imitated  the  dismal  wail  of  the 

267 


THE    RED   ARROW 

prairie-wolf.  The  lads  listened  anxiously  as 
the  lonely  cry  echoed  across  the  plain,  but 
as  the  moments  passed  and  there  was  no 
response  they  felt  more  at  ease. 

"The  dogs  are  asleep,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"We  will  go,"  replied  White  Otter. 

The  lads  rode  silently  across  the  vast 
starlit  prairie,  each  sobered  by  the  thought 
that  he  might  be  riding  to  his  death.  But 
they  were  not  afraid.  Sustained  by  the 
inherited  courage  of  their  people,  they  en- 
tered upon  the  reckless  adventure  with  the 
quiet  confidence  and  calm  assurance  of  vet- 
erans. Each  was  determined  to  faithfully 
perform  the  work  assigned  to  him.  They 
were  in  grim  earnest.  There  was  no  idle 
boasting;  they  preferred  to  prove  their 
courage  by  their  actions. 

When  they  came  within  arrow-range  of  the 
camp  they  dismounted,  and  White  Otter 
issued  his  final  instructions.  Little  Raven 
was  to  lead  the  horses  to  the  north  end  of  the 
village  and  wait  there  until  White  Otter  and 
Sun  Bird  joined  him  with  the  war-ponies. 
Sun  Bird  was  to  enter  the  camp  and  make  his 
way  directly  to  the  corral.  Then  he  was  to 
select  the  three  speediest-looking  ponies  and 

263 


THE    RED   ARROW 

wait  until  White  Otter  joined  him.  The  latter 
said  that  if  the  Pawnees  should  capture  him 
he  would  warn  his  companions  with  the  cry 
of  the  coyote. 

"Then  you  must  ride  away  and  save  your 
lives/*  he  said,  magnanimously. 

His  comrades,  however,  promptly  refused 
the  offer. 

"If  you  should  be  killed,  then  we  will  go 
away  with  heavy  hearts  to  tell  our  people 
about  you.  But  if  you  should  be  captured 
then  we  will  not  go  away  until  we  rescue 
you/*  Sun  Bird  declared,  loyally. 

" It  is  good,  my  brothers;  I  will  think  about 
your  words/'  replied  White  Otter. 

Then  White  Otter  and  Sun  Bird  left  their 
ponies  with  Little  Raven  and  hurried  away 
on  foot.  As  they  neared  the  village  they 
stopped  to  listen.  All  was  quiet,  and  they 
advanced  through  the  dark  as  silently  as 
shadows.  When  they  finally  saw  the  dim 
outlines  of  a  lodge  looming  up  a  short  dis- 
tance ahead  of  them  they  sank  noiselessly 
to  the  earth.  They  were  almost  upon  the 
edge  of  the  camp  and  they  realized  that  they 
must  separate.  The  thought  brought  a  twinge 
of  grief.  Each  was  about  to  risk  his  life,  and 

269 


,    THE    RED   ARROW 

they  had  serious  doubts  of  ever  meeting 
again.  Still,  there  was  no  other  alternative, 
and  they  knew  that  it  was  not  the  part  of 
warriors  to  weaken.  They  looked  steadily 
into  each  other's  eyes  as  they  clasped  hands. 

"Sun  Bird,  you  are  my  brother;  if  you 
should  be  killed  my  heart  will  always  be  filled 
with  clouds/'  whispered  White  Otter. 

"I  will  lock  your  words  in  my  heart.  You 
have  called  me  your  brother.  It  is  so.  If 
the  Pawnees  should  kill  you  then  I  will  rush 
into  the  camp  and  kill  many  of  their  war- 
riors,"  declared  Sun  Bird. 

After  Sun  Bird  had  disappeared  into  the 
darkness  White  Otter  rose  and  stood  some 
moments  with  his  face  upturned  to  the  sky, 
praying  fervently  to  the  Great  Mystery. 
Then  he  sank  to  his  hands  and  knees  and 
crawled  cautiously  to  the  edge  of  the  camp. 
It  was  black  and  still,  and  the  young  Sioux 
hoped  that  both  the  Pawnees  and  their  dogs 
were  sleeping  soundly.  A  hasty  reconnais- 
sance convinced  him  that  he  was  too  far  to  the 
south,  and  he  turned  and  moved  carefully 
along  the  border  of  the  village.  When  he 
finally  saw  the  black  form  of  the  medicine- 
lodge  looming  out  of  the  night  he  stopped 

270 


THE    RED   ARROW 

and  gazed  upon  it  with  eager,  flashing 
eyes. 

White  Otter  spent  many  precious  moments 
listening  at  the  edge  of  the  camp.  Then,  as 
he  heard  nothing  to  arouse  his  fears,  he  be- 
lieved that  his  opportunity  was  at  hand. 
The  thought  sent  the  blood  rushing  to  his 
brain  and  set  his  heart  beating  wildly.  A 
host  of  alarming  possibilities  passed  through 
his  mind,  and  for  a  moment  he  was  unnerved. 
He  wondered  whether  Sun  Bird  had  entered 
the  camp.  The  thought  of  his  friend  restored 
his  courage,  and  he  regained  his  composure. 
A  moment  afterward  he  fitted  an  arrow  to  his 
bow  and  advanced  boldly  into  the  village. 

The  young  Sioux  stopped  in  the  shadow  of 
the  first  lodge  and  peered  anxiously  into  the 
dark.  The  camp  appeared  to  be  wrapped 
in  heavy  slumber,  and,  emboldened  by  the 
thought,  the  lad  advanced  swiftly  toward 
the  center  of  the  village.  As  he  neared  the 
medicine-lodge  he  slung  his  bow  upon  his 
back  and  drew  his  knife.  Then,  cautiously, 
a  stride  at  a  time,  White  Otter  moved  toward 
his  goal.  He  was  almost  at  the  door  of  the 
lodge  when  he  heard  a  child  crying  sleepily 
in  one  of  the  lodges  behind  him,  and,  fearful 

271 


THE    RED   ARROW 

that  the  sound  might  awaken  the  dogs,  he 
glided  into  the  shadows  and  stood  as  im- 
movable as  a  statue. 

He  waited  in  much  suspense  until  the  child 
had  been  quieted,  and  then,  as  all  was  silent, 
he  resumed  his  stealthy  advance.  When  he 
reached  the  medicine-lodge  he  lingered  a 
moment  at  the  entrance  to  listen.  Then  he 
drew  aside  the  buffalo  robe  and  entered.  In 
the  impenetrable  blackness  in  which  he  found 
himself  White  Otter  was  unable  to  ascertain 
whether  the  lodge  was  occupied.  He  groped 
his  way  cautiously  forward  in  the  dark,  pre- 
pared to  defend  himself  with  his  knife.  How- 
ever, as  the  moments  passed  and  he  was  not 
attacked  he  believed  that  the  shelter  was  un- 
occupied. He  felt  carefully  about  with  his 
hands  until  he  located  a  tripod  of  poles  in  the 
center  of  the  lodge.  Then  he  began  to  trem- 
ble violently,  and  his  breath  came  in  quick, 
short  gasps,  for  he  realized  that  the  prize  was 
almost  within  his  grasp.  From  the  poles 
were  suspended  the  medicine-trophies,  and 
the  excited  lad  ran  his  fingers  over  them  until 
he  found  the  sacred  Red  Arrow  which  had 
been  stolen  from  his  people.  It  was  only 
the  work  of  a  moment  to  free  it  from  the  poles, 

272 


THE    RED   ARROW 

and  then  the  exultant  lad  hurried  toward  the 
exit. 

As  White  Otter  staggered  from  the  medi- 
cine-lodge in  a  delirium  of  joy  a  gaunt  form 
rose  from  the  ground  and  sprang  at  him.  The 
suddenness  of  the  attack  bewildered  him, 
and  he  was  borne  to  the  earth.  He  found 
himself  in  a  life-and-death  struggle  with  a 
great  wolflike  hound,  which  was  trying  to 
sink  its  fangs  in  his  throat.  After  a  few  mo- 
ments of  desperate  fighting  the  Sioux  suc- 
ceeded in  burying  his  knife  behind  the  dog's 
shoulder,  and  as  the  dying  brute  rolled  aside 
the  lad  sprang  to  his  feet.  Except  for  a  few 
scratches  he  was  practically  unhurt.  But 
the  sounds  of  the  encounter  had  aroused  the 
other  dogs,  and  the  camp  was  in  an  uproar. 
Realizing  that  a  moment's  delay  would  be 
fatal,  White  Otter  ran  through  the  village 
like  a  frightened  deer.  The  dogs  raced  after 
him,  baying  fiercely,  and  twice  he  was  com- 
pelled to  stop  and  kill  the  leaders  with  his 
arrows.  Then  he  heard  shouts  and  saw  dim, 
shadowy  forms  emerging  from  the  lodges,  and 
he  raced  away  at  top  speed. 

White  Otter  reached  the  corral  in  safety, 
and  found  Sun  Bird  waiting  with  three  restive 

18  273 


THE    RED   ARROW 

war-ponies.  Once  mounted,  the  lads  drove 
the  other  horses  from  the  village  and  raced 
for  the  open  plain.  They  picked  up  Little 
Raven  near  the  border  of  the  camp,  and, 
abandoning  their  own  slow  mounts,  the 
triumphant  young  Sioux  galloped  away  on 
the  three  swiftest  ponies  in  the  Pawnee  tribe. 
They  knew  that  it  would  be  a  long  time  be- 
fore the  Pawnees  would  be  able  to  find  and 
round-up  the  horses  on  the  plain,  and  they 
had  little  fear  of  being  caught. 

"Have you  done  this  great  thing?"  Sun  Bird 
asked,  eagerly,  as  they  raced  along  beside 
each  other. 

"See,"  laughed  White  Otter,  as  he  ex- 
hibited the  famous  medicine- trophy. 

"Now  I  know  that  you  are  a  great  leader, 
like  your  grandfather,"  declared  Sun  Bird. 

Far  behind  them  the  Sioux  heard  the  wild 
commotion  in  the  camp,  and,  flushed  with 
triumph,  they  turned  their  faces  to  the  sky 
and  gave  thanks  to  the  Great  Mystery. 
Then  they  laughed  mockingly  as  a  volley  of 
discordant  yells  rolled  out  over  the  plain. 

"My  brothers,  you  have  been  very  brave; 
you  have  helped  me  do  this  great  thing. 
My  people  will  wish  to  see  you.  You  must 

274 


THE    RED   ARROW 

go  with  me  to  my  village.  I  will  tell  my 
grandfather  about  you.  He  will  talk  about 
this  thing.  His  warriors  will  listen  to  his 
words.  You  will  feel  glad  in  your  hearts," 
said  White  Otter. 

"It  is  good;  if  we  escape  we  will  go  with 
you  to  talk  with  our  brothers,  the  brave 
Ogalalas,"  agreed  Sun  Bird. 


XX 

THE   REWARD 

MANY  days  had  passed  since  White 
Otter  rode  away  on  his  perilous  mis- 
sion, and  the  Sioux  talked  about  him  as  one 
who  had  gone  upon  the  Long  Trail.  Only 
Wolf  Robe  and  old  Yellow  Horse,  the  medi- 
cine-man, still  believed  that  the  lad  might 
return.  Sustained  by  the  thought,  the  stern 
old  war-chief  stood  at  the  edge  of  the  village 
each  day  as  the  sun  sank  in  the  west  and 
gazed  expectantly  across  the  plain  until  dark. 
The  people  looked  upon  him  with  pity,  for 
they  knew  that  his  heart  was  breaking  with 
grief.  Each  night  as  he  returned  to  his 
lodge  the  old  men  shook  their  heads  and 
said:  "Wolf  Robe  is  crying  in  his  heart  for 
White  Otter.  If  the  lad  does  not  return  the 
great  chief  will  soon  follow  him  on  the  Long 
Trail." 

Then  one  day  near  the  end  of  the  summer 
276 


THE    REWARD 

some  boys  who  had  been  playing  a  short 
distance  out  on  the  plain  rushed  into  the 
village  and  cried  out  that  three  riders  were 
approaching  from  the  south.  The  Sioux  be- 
came greatly  excited,  and  a  company  of 
warriors  quickly  mounted  their  ponies  and 
galloped  away  to  meet  the  visitors. 

"  Perhaps  it  is  White  Otter,"  cried  the 
Sioux,  as  they  gathered  at  the  border  of  the 
village. 

Then  one  of  the  riders  raced  madly  back 
to  the  camp  and  said  that  White  Otter  was 
returning  with  two  young  warriors  from  the 
Minneconjoux  tribe.  The  village  was  thrown 
into  an  uproar  by  the  announcement.  The 
people  were  wild  with  joy,  and  their  first 
thought  was  of  their  beloved  chief. 

"Tell  this  thing  to  Wolf  Robe,"  they  cried. 

They  found  the  aged  warrior  arrayed  in 
all  his  finery,  waiting  calmly  in  his  lodge. 
When  they  cried  out  that  White  Otter  was 
coming,  Wolf  Robe  nodded  his  head  and  said, 
"It  is  well;  I  have  waited  many  days." 

As  the  warriors  escorted  White  Otter  and 
his  companions  into  the  village  the  people 
crowded  about  them  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight. 
White  Otter  heard  them  calling  to  him  and 

277 


THE    RED   ARROW 

shouting  his  name,  but  he  made  no  response. 
He  rode  directly  to  his  grandfather's  lodge 
and  presented  himself  before  the  famous 
Sioux  war-chief.  Only  the  flash  of  his  eyes 
betokened  the  joy  in  Wolf  Robe's  heart  as  he 
rose  and  extended  his  hand  to  his  grandson. 

"You  have  returned;  it  is  well.  I  will 
ask  you  what  you  have  done?"  he  said. 

"Grandfather,  you  have  often  told  me  that 
deeds,  not  words,  make  a  warrior.  I  have  re- 
membered it.  I  have  brought  the  Red  Ar- 
row from  the  Pawnee  medicine-lodge,"  White 
Otter  said,  quietly,  as  he  presented  the  pre- 
cious trophy  to  the  Sioux  chief. 

For  some  moments  Wolf  Robe  remained 
silent  while  he  looked  admiringly  upon  the 
splendid  lad  before  him.  He  accepted  the 
sacred  medicine-trophy  and  examined  it  with 
much  interest.  Then  he  returned  it  to  White 
Otter. 

"My  son,  I  have  listened  to  your  words. 
They  are  the  words  of  a  Sioux  warrior.  You 
have  done  a  great  thing.  My  heart  is  filled 
with  pride.  I  am  an  old  man,  but  you  have 
made  me  feel  young  again.  I  will  tell  the 
people  about  it.  You  shall  carry  this  great 
medicine-trophy  to  the  medicine-lodge." 

278 


THE    REWARD 

When  Wolf  Robe  had  finished  speaking  old 
Singing  Wind,  the  lad's  grandmother,  came 
forward  to  greet  him.  "  You  are  very  brave, 
like  your  father,  Standing  Buffalo,  and  your 
grandfather,  Wolf  Robe,"  she  said,  proudly. 

Then  White  Otter  told  his  grandfather  of 
the  splendid  heroism  of  his  companions,  and 
Wolf  Robe  called  the  two  lads  into  his  lodge. 

"  White  Otter  has  told  me  about  you,"  he 
said.  "You  are  very  brave.  The  Minne- 
conjoux  are  our  brothers.  It  is  good  that  you 
have  come  to  our  village.  I  have  heard  about 
your  father,  Rain  Crow.  I  know  that  he  is  a 
great  medicine-man.  I  will  tell  my  people 
about  you." 

"You  are  a  great  chief.  I  have  heard  my 
people  talk  about  you.  Now  I  have  taken 
your  hand.  I  will  tell  this  thing  to  my 
people,"  replied  Sun  Bird. 

That  night  Wolf  Robe  summoned  the  en- 
tire tribe  to  the  medicine-lodge.  When  all 
the  people  had  assembled  the  venerable  war- 
chief  took  the  long  stone  pipe  filled  with  the 
bark  of  the  red  willow  and  smoked  to  the 
Great  Mystery,  to  the  sun,  to  the  earth,  and 
to  each  of  the  four  winds.  Then  he  passed 
the  pipe  to  Yellow  Horse,  the  medicine-man, 

279 


THE    RED   ARROW 

who  sat  at  his  left.  Thus  it  went  from  one  to 
another,  until  all  in  the  council  circle  had 
smoked.  Then  the  pipe  was  returned  to 
Wolf  Robe,  who  placed  it  upon  two  forked 
sticks  which  had  been  driven  into  the  ground. 
A  few  moments  later  he  rose  to  address  his 
people. 

It  was  a  notable  company,  and  the  old 
chief's  eyes  lighted  with  pride  as  he  looked 
into  the  faces  of  the  men  who  sat  about  him. 
They  were  battle-scarred  veterans  of  the  war- 
trail,  all  of  them  heroes.  They  were  men  of 
keen  minds  and  brave  hearts;  eloquent  or- 
ators and  indomitable  warriors;  men  fit  to 
counsel  and  able  to  command.  Among  them 
were  Yellow  Horse,  a  man  of  great  wisdom 
and  dauntless  courage;  High  Eagle,  who  had 
twice  escaped  from  the  Kiowas;  Thunder 
Dog,  who  had  killed  many  Pawnees;  Spotted 
Bear,  who  had  rescued  his  brother  from  the 
Blackfeet;  and  the  aged  warrior,  Crying 
Wolf,  whose  body  bore  the  scars  of  many 
conflicts. 

"People  of  the  great  Dacotah  nation,"  said 
Wolf  Robe,  "I  have  called  you  here  to  tell 
you  about  a  great  thing.  White  Otter,  the 
son  of  Standing  Buffalo,  has  brought  the  Red 

280 


THE    REWARD 

Arrow  from  the  Pawnee  medicine-lodge.  The 
Pawnees  are  our  enemies.  They  have  killed 
Standing  Buffalo  and  many  of  our  people. 
It  is  good  that  a  Sioux  has  taken  this  great 
medicine-trophy  from  their  village.  I  have 
thought  about  this  thing  a  long  time.  Now 
it  has  been  done.  My  heart  is  filled  with 
pride." 

When  Wolf  Robe  had  finished  speaking  the 
people  demanded  that  White  Otter  should 
tell  the  story  of  his  great  exploit.  As  the  lad 
rose  to  his  feet  in  response  to  their  cries  he 
was  overcome  with  emotion.  He  realized  that 
he  had  become  a  great  warrior  among  his  peo- 
ple, and  his  heart  filled  with  pride.  When 
he  had  somewhat  recovered  his  confidence 
he  gave  a  vivid  account  of  his  adventures, 
being  careful  to  give  full  credit  to  Sun  Bird, 
and  a  generous  share  of  praise  to  Little  Raven. 
As  he  ended  his  talk  he  walked  to  the  tripod 
which  supported  the  medicine-trophies  and 
fastened  the  red  arrow  at  the  top  of  the  poles. 

"It  is  good,"  cried  Yellow  Horse,  springing 
to  his  feet.  "What  I  have  dreamed  has  come 
true.  See,  the  son  of  Standing  Buffalo  has 
brought  the  great  medicine-trophy  to  his 
people." 

28! 


THE    RED   ARROW 

Then  old  Crying  Wolf  struggled  to  his  feet. 
He  had  seen  the  snows  of  more  than  ninety 
winters,  and  he  was  bowed  and  tottering 
with  age.  He  presented  a  pathetic  appear- 
ance as  he  leaned  heavily  on  his  coup-stick 
and  addressed  the  people  in  a  weak,  faltering 
voice. 

11  Men  of  the  Dacotahs,  listen  to  my  words. 
I  am  a  very  old  man.  My  hair  is  white 
with  the  snows  of  many  winters.  My  bones 
are  filled  with  frost.  But  I  have  seen  this 
wonderful  medicine-trophy  brought  to  my 
people.  It  is  enough.  My  heart  is  filled 
with  peace.  I  am  very  happy.  White  Otter 
is  a  great  warrior.  I  will  soon  go  on  the  Long 
Trail,  but  this  thing  will  be  told  to  many 
other  people.  The  Sioux  laugh  at  their 
enemies,  the  boastful  Pawnees.  I  have 
finished." 

Other  noted  warriors  spoke  in  turn,  and 
White  Otter  and  his  companions  were  highly 
commended  for  their  courage.  When  the 
speeches  were  concluded  the  Sioux  made 
several  great  fires  in  the  center  of  the  village, 
and  passed  the  balance  of  the  night  singing 
and  dancing  in  celebration  of  White  Otter's 
great  achievement. 

282 


THE    REWARD 

The  following  day  Wolf  Robe  escorted  the 
lad  to  a  large  corral  at  one  end  of  the  camp 
and  showed  him  more  than  a  hundred  ponies. 

"You  have  done  a  great  thing  for  your 
people,"  said  the  war -chief.  "The  Sioux 
have  brought  you  these  ponies  because  you 
are  a  great  warrior." 

"My  heart  is  full  of  words  which  I  cannot 
speak,"  replied  the  embarrassed  young  Sioux. 

Then  White  Otter  hurried  away  to  look 
for  his  friends.  When  he  found  them  he 
brought  them  to  the  place  where  the  ponies 
were  confined. 

"See,  in  that  place  are  many  ponies.  My 
people  have  brought  them  to  me.  It  is  good ; 
we  are  brothers.  When  a  Sioux  has  much,  he 
does  not  forget  his  brother.  When  you  re- 
turn to  your  people  I  will  give  each  of  you 
a  very  fast  war-pony  and  a  good  horse  to 
carry  you  in  the  hunt.  I  have  said  it." 

"You  have  a  good  heart.  I  will  tell  about 
this  thing,"  said  Sun  Bird. 

"Now  I  am  a  warrior,"  declared  Little 
Raven. 

THE    END 


J 


tf 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  'WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below, 
or  on  the  date  to  which  renewed.  Renewals  only: 

Tel.  No.  642-3405 

Renewals  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  date  due. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


Due  efid  of  FALL  Quarter  -        -  •-  . 

bubject  to  recall  after  - 


APR  ^  4  ^ 


UNIV.  OF  GAUF,  B 


LD2lA-40m-3,'72 
(Qll73slO)476-A-32 


